Obituary: Barbara Lynn Melkin - Atlanta Jewish Times

Our beloved mother, Barbara Lynn Melkin, passed away peacefully on March 25, 2025, in Atlanta, Ga. A graveside service was held at Beth El Cemetery in Greenwood Cemetery in Phoenix, Ariz., at 9 a.m. on Thursday, March 27, 2025.

Barbara Lynn Melkin (née Hochberg) was born on Feb. 10, 1946, in Westchester County, N.Y. She pursued music, theater, and dance, and was named the first Fire Safety Queen for the New Rochelle Fire Department. After graduating from New Rochelle High School, she met her husband, Stephen Melkin, on a blind date. They became engaged after three months and shared 51 years of marriage, living in Brentwood, Tenn., and Sun City West, Arizona.

Barbara’s life extended far beyond the role of a stay-at-home mom. She was a founding member of Nashville ORT and a lifetime Hadassah member. At West End Synagogue in Nashville, she served on the Board, presided over the Sisterhood, managed the gift shop, taught in the religious school, and co-created musicals inspired by Broadway. A member of the Inquisitors Book Club, she drafted research papers instead of reading books.

Later, Barbara became a travel agent, turning her love of travel into a career. She worked as a medical assistant in Stephen’s practice and at the Frist Medical Center. When her children left for college, she studied calligraphy, bookmaking, painting, and papermaking. She became President of the Nashville Calligraphy Guild and displayed her art in the Parthenon Museum. Barbara also designed Ketubbot for each of her children, for their friends, and for other relatives.

Barbara’s legacy includes her intelligence, elegance, kindness, hospitality, and her noodle kugel. Predeceased by her husband, parents, Faye and Sammy Hochberg, and brother, Burton Hochberg, she is survived by her three children – Diane Weinberg (Michael), David Melkin (Carrie), and Deborah Melkin (Andy Yun) – and grandchildren, Samuel, Aaron, Isaac, Sarah, and Ryan. She is also survived by her brother, Marvin Hochberg. Donations can be made in her honor to Congregation Beth Shalom, Dunwoody, Ga. Dressler’s Jewish Funeral Care, 770-451-4999.

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