Barbara (Steidlitz) Schapiro passed away February 29 at the age of 92. Born in Syracuse, she moved to Endwell where she lived a long, happy, and fulfilled life. We celebrate the fact that she was so well loved. Her kindness and generosity were a blessing to so many and will never be forgotten. Barbara was a proud alumna of Syracuse University where she was a member of the AEPhi Sorority. She graduated with a degree in Primary Education and taught in Syracuse until meeting the love of her life, Irvin. They dated for only six weeks prior to their engagement, and were inseparable. As their family grew, Barbara spent the next 35 years working in the family business, Schapiro’s Men’s & Women’s Shop, on Washington Ave in Endicott where Barbara ran the women’s apparel business. She lived in the same home in Endwell for 65 years and loved spending winters in Boynton Beach, Florida. Barbara had an incredible memory and remembered everyone she met, always stopping to chat. She spent hours every day on the phone with family and friends. She loved to bake cookies, brownies, and blueberry muffins sharing them with people everywhere she went. Every Friday night (Shabbat) she would make dinner where her son’s friends (Danny, Rick, Steve) would all show up. Nothing could have made her happier. Barbara was the gold standard as a mother and mother-in-law. She taught her children, Robert (Lori), Michael (Sue), and Jeffrey (Carolyn), all of Vestal, to be loving husbands, parents, and honorable businesspeople. Barbara was blessed by grandchildren, Evan (Stephanie), Tyler (Hayley), Colby (Jamie), Jared (Stephanie), and Lindsey (Daniel), and great-grandchildren, Jacob, Avery and Chloe, who all affectionately referred to her as “Bobbie.” They all looked up to her as a role model and knew she would never say “NO” to anything they wanted. Bobbie was there for every activity and life event, big or small. Her grandchildren regarded her as the best cook around, always ready to whip up a meal on a moment’s notice. She is survived by her sister-in-law, Beatrice, special cousins, Alan and Shelley, and many friends. Irvin and Barbara were founding members of Temple Beth El in Endicott, and later belonged to Temple Israel in Binghamton. Barbara will be greatly missed by her family and friends. Special thanks to the fine people who cared for her at Brookdale Living Center for the past 18 months and Mercy House.
Funeral services will be held at Temple Israel Sunday March 3rd at 2 PM, with calling hours beginning at 12:30 PM. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Temple Israel or Mercy House of the Southern Tier. Shiva will be observed at 117 Emily Court, Vestal Sunday and Monday 5:30 to 8 PM.