Obituary: Barbara Sylvia Philipson

Barbara (Blima) Sylvia Philipson (nee Roth), a Brooklyn, N.Y., native, ardent traveler, lifelong learner, and beloved ESL teacher, passed away suddenly on Jan. 10, 2024, at the age of 82. Barbara is survived by her former husband, Howard M. Philipson (Pauline), her children, David E. Philipson (Elaine), Dr. Jessica L. Fine, and Jodi Philipson Stone (Andrew), her grandchildren, Julie Ptak (John), Tori Snyder (Brian), R. Satcher Stone, and Gabriel Stone, her great-grandson, Owen Snyder, and her nephew, Barry Rich (Rhonda). Barbara was preceded in death by her mother, Sadie Roth (nee Kornheiser), father, Jacob Menasha Roth, and sister Rosalyn Rich (nee Roth).

We’d be remiss not to honor her devoted friend, John Canada, who offered companionship and comfort in her final years of life.

Barbara received her undergraduate degree from The College of St. Rose and earned her master’s degree in English as a Second Language from State University of New York at Albany. She then spent six years teaching high school French and Spanish followed by 20 years of teaching ESL to visiting physicians at Albany Medical Center and College. She was deeply admired and much loved by her students, many of whom became lifelong friends. Barbara spent the last years of her life in Johns Creek, Ga., well watched over by her daughter and the wonderful staff at Tapestry House Memory Care.

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A graveside service was held on Jan. 14 at Mt. Hebron Cemetery in Flushing, N.Y. Memorial contributions to Goizueta Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center are appreciated: www.alzheimers.emory.edu. Dressler’s Jewish Funeral Care, 770-451-4999.