Barbara Kowitz, 64, of Easton, PA died Friday, March 19, 2021 at home. Born February 19, 1957 in Wilson Borough, PA she was a daughter of the late Marjorie L. (Krohn) and Jack N. Kowitz. She was a graduate of Drew University with a degree in Sociology. Barb was employed by Northampton County in the Public Assistance Office and prior to that she was with the Sigal Museum, ProJeCt of Easton and City of Easton Planning Department. She had been a member of the Easton Kiwanis Club, the ACLU and the former Temple Covenant of Peace.
She is survived by her sons: Andrew D. Kelly and Jacob B. Kelly, her “adopted” son: Kevin M. Schimes all at home; and a sister: Deborah.
A calling period will be held from 1 to 2 PM Thursday (March 25) at the Easton Cemetery Chapel, 401 N. 7th St., Easton. Services are private. The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling arrangements.
Memorial contributions may be made to ProJeCt of Easton, the ACLU or the NAACP. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.
Patricia Werner
March 22, 2021 at 7:24 pm
My heart is heavy and my mind is reeling from the news of Barbie’s passing. We grew up together, from early childhood at JCC, to grade school at Palmer Elementary and later high school through to college – when, during breaks, I would “always escort her mother” to pick Barbie up from Drew! I distinctly remember our softball league and teams – Barbie wasn’t happy about it but she was always elected to be the catcher!! I also remember playing repetitive games of Backgammon at Clinton Terrace (with various cats and her grandmother frequently walking over the board), drinking numerous concoctions, smoking too many cigarettes and just driving around in the car. The memories are countless but her “great intelligence” and compassion for others are just a few of the outstanding qualities she possessed. The world has lost an advocate for fairness and goodness and we have all lost a dear friend. I truly considered Barbie my best friend, during our time coordinating the WALK for Community Development and into college, as we approached adulthood. We shared many “rites of passage” but certainly this is one I just didn’t expect. I mourn her lost and I send my deepest and heartfelt sympathies to her sons Andrew and Jake. I know she touched many, many lives and to her extended family and friends, may her memory always remain deep within our hearts and always bring a certain smile to our faces.
Debbie Gibson
March 22, 2021 at 8:30 pm
I’m in disbelief – I didn’t get to hug her and say goodbye – we’ve been friends since kindergarten. The best of the best. To many memories to recall at the moment. I see her smiling face as she beeped and waved in her blue car at the stop sign at Southwood
and Applewood Drive. Her unending hospitality and warmth – the warm welcome when we came back to Pa. My dear, dear friend – I wanted to visit with you so many more times. A part of me has gone with you – Rest In Peace my lifelong friend. 🙏❤️
Debbie Campbell Gibson
March 22, 2021 at 9:56 pm
My dear friend Barbie – I am in disbelief – we have
been friends since kgarten and always considered you the closest thing to a sister. The memories are so many – remember you smiling and waving from your blue car at your (rolling) stop at Applewood and Southwood, your never ending hospitality, sitting on the porch at your place on College Hill looking out over the river,..-I wanted my trips into Pa to include our visits forever. You have and will always be a very special part of my life and for that I am so thankful. Andrew and Jake – our sincere sympathy – make her proud. Love you my dear friend and already miss you 😪🙏❤️
Suzie Kowitz
March 23, 2021 at 7:28 am
Where do you begin to write, when you are in shock about losing not just a friend from birth, but who is family as well? 😪
We first started one street apart cutting thru yards to play. I remember crying when Barbie moved “so far away thinking I would never see her again!” Of course that did not happen. My father brought me to her house that was not “far.” As our story was shared by fathers, whom we both loved, adored and lost at young ages, that bond was never broken. Barbie was so much more than that, as we all know and all of you have written.
All our worlds have been dimmed by this light going out. But we have gained a star that will be shining bright to guide us in our darkest moments. She will be there to push us when we need it most. And as she wrote in one of her last texts to me… “and Bless Your Heart that you continue to maintain that “sparkly” attitude.” Don’t ever lose it. Wise words from the most kindest, humblest woman I know.
We all have your love in our hearts, Jake, Andrew, and the rest of our family. Continue to make Barbie shine bright, as she did us with her smile, laughter, kindness, humility, love of cats (many of our conversations) her fairness for all. Barbie made us better in so many ways without ever realizing it. I will love and miss you, forever in my heart.😪🙏❤️
Wendy Kuzen Tomlinson
March 23, 2021 at 7:30 am
Barb, the thing I will always remember about you is your big smile. Plus you were always in my home room because of our last initials. You had a big heart to go with that big smile. May others follow your example.
Sharon Lippey Wilson
March 23, 2021 at 7:44 am
I am so saddened to hear of my friend Barbie’s passing. I’m still in shock she is gone from this earth. She will never be gone from our hearts. She was the kindest, sweetest, smartest person. And like others said, when I think of you, I think of your beautiful big smile. We were friends from high school and kept in touch through social media. Loved talking politics with Barbie. My sincere condolences to her family. I will miss you my friend.
Paul T Lipari
March 23, 2021 at 10:05 am
I would like to express my sympathy to Barb’s family and let them know that she was a great friend all through our junior high and high school years. We shared a birthday but always joked that I was a full year younger than her. Many great memories especially of the visits her mom would make to my parent’s store in Easton. Thumbing through our 1975 yearbook today brings back many wonderful times. I am truly saddened to hear of her passing. Rest In Peace Barbie. I will be thinking of you and your family during this Easter and Passover Holiday.
Veronica Gress
March 23, 2021 at 11:44 am
I am sorry to hear Barb’s passing. I only had the privilege of working with her for a short time. She was always smiling willing to help anyone. My deepest condolences to her family
Debbie Bergstein Goldfarb
March 23, 2021 at 3:01 pm
Although I have not seen Barbie, a first cousin, in many many years, she was close to my mother,Vera Bergstein-her father’s sister. I adored her dad, my Uncle Jackie and his brother,Uncle Henry, both who died much too young. When Barbie’s father died, it was a monumental loss. Through my mother, who would be so very sad with this news, I heard about all the wonderful things Barbie did. I regret very much that I did not know her better but I knew about her through my mother.I know she named her son Jack. as I did, for obvious reasons!I am so sad for all of the cousins,still only in their 50’s and 60’s, Steve, Ilene, Susie, sister Debbie,and all their children who will miss her greatly. My brothers, Richard, David, and I send our sympathies to all of you.
Debbie Goldfarb
Santa Monica, CA
Kristi Malaret
March 23, 2021 at 6:16 pm
Although I knew you for a short time (year or so) as we met at work it came as a shock of your passing. In the time I knew you, we shared some stories. You always had a smile for me and often something to say that made me laugh. You will be missed. GOD Bless and Rest In Peace Barbara.
Nootan Bakrania
March 23, 2021 at 8:53 pm
I did not know you that well but I do remember your lovely, warm, smile and how nice you were to other co-workers. I recently found out that you, my sister, and her friend all knew each other from Easton High School. I assume you all graduated in the same year. I am praying that god will bring peace to you, your family and all of your friends.
Kim Rose
March 24, 2021 at 10:54 am
How do you measure a life? Barb certainly impacted mine. She taught me one of life’s most important lessons, don’t ever let an opportunity pass by. I worked for the Northampton County Historical Society prior to the opening of the Sigal Museum. I was only working part-time and with a son in college needed to be full time. Several years passed and I reluctantly attended an exhibit opening at the Sigal Museum. It was a Sunday, and I was in need of quiet and rest. While I was there, BArb, now the executive director, came up to me and asked if I would consider returning to the staff. Although I had a great job, and returning would mean a big step down in my career, I loved NCHGS and the volunteers, and looked forward to working with Barb. She built a great team, and we worked our tails off. Understaffed and overworked, she watched out for each of us. The day came when I could no longer manage the work load and I submitted my resignation, which she refused to accept. She offered to have me work part-time to relieve the stress. She picked up the work I would not be doing. This meant her carrying even more of a load, added to her already overwhelming responsibilities. It was not too long before I returned to full time, but that kindness on her part meant the world to me. When I was sick she delivered her magical chicken soup, she had so many other moments of grace to me and to others. She was the only person I could imagine taking on the giant task of getting the Sigal Museum open, she knew who to call whenever something went wrong, which was frequent. She broke our hearts when she left, but we all understood why and wished her well. She loved her boys, she cherished her friendships. I cannot imagine what my life would be like had she not given me the opportunity to work with her. I hope that I was able to share my appreciation of her adequately, Barb was a woman that brought light into the world, and I wish her rest and peace.
Christine Swint
March 25, 2021 at 10:14 am
Kowitz Family
My sincere condolences in the lost of your mother.
Barb was a former co- worker from the City of Easton.
She was such a warm and friendly person.
Marianne Phifer
March 25, 2021 at 11:07 am
I was so shocked and saddened to learn that Barb had passed away. I remember the day she took me to lunch after my retirement and asked me what I would like to make my volunteer focus at NCHGS. She was an amazing person, an excellent leader, supportive of the people she worked with and an inspiration to everyone. She will be missed. My deepest sympathy to Barb’s family.
James Vivian
March 26, 2021 at 6:48 am
So sad to hear of Barb’s passing and my condolences to her family. I remember working with Barb together on the Walk for Development in Easton for several years (we were so young!). She was always very devoted to her community. What a warm and generous person.
Lisa Curry
March 26, 2021 at 2:12 pm
Dear Andrew and Jacob,
I was so very sorry to read of your mother’s passing. I had the pleasure of meeting her when you both were students at March Elementary. I found her to be very warm, supportive and full of energy. The messages posted here are a beautiful tribute to her life and her spirit. May all your warm memories help to ease your sorrow, and may your mother Rest In Peace. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
With deepest sympathy,
Lisa Curry