Barbara E. “Bubbie” Skolnick
Skolnick, Barbara Esther, of Needham, on July 6, 2024. Better known by close family as “Bubbie,” Barbara was a cherished and adored mother and grandmother who left this world far too soon at age 76 after a valiant battle with cancer, with her husband Steven, son Adam, and daughter Judith by her side. Throughout her life and including her cancer treatments, Barbara remained (in her words) an “eternal optimist.” Even through the worst pain and suffering, Barbara always had a smile on her face and managed to find something good in every day.
Barbara is survived by her beloved husband Steven, children Adam and Judith, daughter- in- law Amy, and her grandchildren Brandon, Eliana, Harold, and Isaac, whom she idolized and were the center of her universe. She loved them to the moon and back. She is also survived by her brother Larry, nephew Keith, sisters and brothers-in-law Ellen and Steven Weiner and Gail and Leonard Burman, and much-loved friends and extended family. She was predeceased by her mother Florence and her father Gershon. As a mother, Barbara was a shining and selfless example of positivity, strength and resilience. Outside her family, Barbara also found joy in Deerfield Beach and in her summer home in Dennis Port. When she wasn’t at the beach you could find her in her happy place at the gym, cooking with her grandchildren, or helping a family member or friend in need. Everywhere she went Barbara exhibited grace and casual elegance. She was an accomplished pianist who very much enjoyed music, theater arts and museums, a legacy that she passed down to her grandchildren. As a proud alumnus of Girls’ Latin School and Boston State College, Barbara was straight A student. She was also equally proud of her career as a kindergarten teacher of 40-50 students that began at the Harrington School in Cambridge. After five years of teaching, Barbara took a brief leave to raise her children. Later in her career Barbara moved on to teach preschool then becoming Director of Preschool/Childcare centers in the local community. Barbara loved helping children and the impact she had on her students will be remembered for years to come. Many times, when Barbara was out in public she was approached and hugged by her former students and families thanking her for the inerasable mark she made in their lives.
She will always and forever be remembered as our family’s matriarch and her legacy will never be forgotten. In honor of Barbara’s remarkable life, the funeral will be held on Thursday, July 11, 2024, at 10:00 am at Temple Beth Shalom, Needham. Interment will follow at Independent Pride of Boston Cemetery, 776 Baker St., West Roxbury.
Family and friends are welcome to visit with the Skolnick family, following interment until 5:00 pm at Temple Beth Shalom.
In lieu of flowers, remembrances in Barbara’s memory may be made to The Home for Little Wanderers Child and Family Counseling Center,72-74 East Dedham St., Boston, MA 02118. (In the memo write: “in honor of Dr. Josh Martin in memory of Barbara Skolnick”). Or Dr. Matulonis’ innovative research at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. 10 Brookline Place West, 6th Fl, Brookline, MA 02445 (In the memo write: ” Dr. Matulonis’ Giving Page in memory of Barbara Skolnick”).
May she rest in peace. Barbara has gone to the beach.