Barbara Machtinger

August 20, 1952-June 24, 2017

Durham

Barbara Machtinger, sweet sister, incredible friend, feminist, anti-racist, and antiwar activist died on June 24, 2017 in Durham, North Carolina. She was surrounded by dear friends, her loving twin sister Evelyn, and brother Howard. Born in the Bronx, New York to Polish Jewish immigrants Yetta and Harry, her life as a social activist culminated in her remarkable career as a Professor of History at Bloomfield College in New Jersey from 1994 until 2009.

Barbara graduated from Taft High School in the Bronx in 1969 and attended the University of Wisconsin at Madison, where she became politically active in the burgeoning women's movement and the dynamic antiwar struggle. Her house on Mifflin Street became an open, intellectually exhilarating center where people gathered to commune and plan political work. After Madison, she moved to Minneapolis working as a day care organizer and with the New American Movement. She later attended the University of Massachusetts, Boston and then became a dedicated and beloved teacher working with high school dropouts at the D Street Projects in South Boston, eventually becoming director of the program. She went on to earn her PhD in History at Boston College in 1995. Her scholarship focused on the early 20th Century U.S. Children's Bureau and Mothers' Pensions Administration, as well as Progressive Era reformer Julia Lathrop.

She then moved to Bloomfield College, where her teaching focused on 20th Century American and Women's History until 2009. Her marriage to fellow historian Joseph Cugini in 1994 ended in 2011; they remained friends, and he was by her bedside when she died.

Equipped with a deep intellect, endless curiosity, quick wit, a ready smile, and a genuine passion for social justice and fairness, Barbara had what one friend called a genius for "creative friendship". This was exemplified by the intense loyalty and devotion of her friends throughout her life and after she was diagnosed with dementia in 2009. She moved to Durham to be near her sister and brother after her diagnosis. Barbara was profoundly kind and respectful of all people. She remained upbeat, able to live with passion in the moment—"what other choice do I have?" she would explain. Her longtime college and graduate school friends, her professional colleagues, the residents and caretakers at Croasdaile Village in Durham as well as her family members mourn her. She is survived by her siblings Evelyn, Howard, and Leonard, her niece Anzia Bennett, and her partners-in-law Stephanie Sieburth, and Trude Bennett. Barbara Machtinger, Presente!

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The News and Observer & on Jun. 30, 2017.

Memories and Condolences
for Barbara Machtinger

Sponsored by American Cremation & Funeral Service.

22 Entries

Gary Buell

August 9, 2022

Dear Evelyn, thank you so much for the wonderful summary of Barbara´s life and many contributions. I met you both during your freshman year at Madison in the fall of 1969 and you and I crossed paths a second time in Denver a couple of years later. Barbara was the first true activist I met in our generation. She was also the first person to question with me the decision on going or not to Vietnam. I was a naive farm boy from Missouri and I had never met anyone like her. She was inspirational. Attached is a photo she gave me of the two of you standing on either side of a friend in front of the fountain at the Rockefeller Center. I have always treasured this picture and my memories of our time together. My best wishes, Gary Buell, Geneva Switzerland.

John Beverley

November 8, 2020

If you get this message, do friends or family of Barbara know if she was part of a delegation to Panama sponsored by the Guardian in the early or mid seventies?

Neha Dave - Manoharan

September 7, 2020

May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived. Professor Machtinger was an amazing woman, like a Mom and friend wrapped in one. I learned my things about myself and life through her teachings with Professor Cugini. They were at my wedding in 2005, I left the country with my husband for work but I never forgot about them. Your lessons are so important and valuable now, when so much has happened in the world. You’ll live on forever in our hearts ♥

Cierra Blakey

June 24, 2019

You are truly missed. Was just thinking about you the other day and how u would brighten up a whole building with your smile. Love you Beautiful ANGEL❤

Lori Bacigalupi

January 21, 2019

I'm saddened to know that dear Barbara has departed.
I am finding out just now as the announcement came from Ann Eisenberg who has lovingly organized a Taft High School reunion.
It's impossible to understand loss, and the timing of events.
I remember the bright and funny Machtinger twins warmly.
May you be at peace.
Love,
Lori Varon Bacigalupi

Miss U

Cierra "Ceci" Blakey

April 20, 2018

Thinking of the lovely Mrs. Barbara "Barbie" Machtinger, miss and love you and your smile dearly.

Paul Ruppa

April 19, 2018

I learned a lot and met many exceptional people in that house on
Mifflin. Seeing the word obituary next to Barb's name in a internet search was a kick to the gut. For me, she remains in vivid and sweet memories. Yisgadal v' yisgadash...

Lev Zilbermints

November 15, 2017

Barbara Machtinger was a professor during my days at Bloomfield College, 1993-1996. She was a very interesting person and a very good professor. Always knowledgeable, willing to talk about a great many subjects. I only found out about her passing today, 11/15/2017, when I came to the Bloomfield College Alumni Association meeting. It was a shock. So sad to hear of her passing. She will be missed by all who knew her.

Joy Schulman

July 17, 2017

Though I knew Barbara in Madison, she became a close friend when she moved to NJ to become a professor at Bloomfied College. We spent countless days in New York talking about politics and the most intimate situations in our life.

Barbara's openness and insightfulness made me more self aware and a better friend. I was incredibly sad when she got sick and moved to Durham. Though her disease took much away from her, it did not take away her capacity for friendship and I loved her dearly.

Susan Colson

July 17, 2017

Barb, you are and will always be one of a kind. (Evie is one of a kind too!) I remember so well walking into the dining hall at Selery/Witte with my SDS leaflets, ready to do some dorm organizing. You were seated at a table with some combo of Ev, Nancy, Ellen and Fran and actually invited me to talk with you. All of you were so ready to go, come to the meeting, come to the demo. And you did. Then and for the rest of your life. Your sweetness and your barb, Barb, were intertwined in the most wonderful way. You loved people, loved life, hated and fought against injustice, phoniness and evil with gentleness and incisive intellect. You used to say that I "organized" you into that the political scene at Madison. I have always found that so funny- you "organized" me into the wonderful pod the five of you were. Although we lost touch over the years, the world is not quite as bright as when you were here.

Much love to Evie, Howie, Fran, Nancy and Toby- thank you for taking such good care of Barb.

Yasha Love

July 10, 2017

Dr. Machtinger was not only my professor at Bloomfield College, she was my Mentor and my friend. Everytime I walked in her classroom or her office I was met with this contagious smile. I can still see it to this day.

Dr. Machtinger taught me so much about History, women's rights, the civil rights, freedom of speech, she taught me how the past connected to the present. She taught me where I came from and most importantly where I was going in life.
I was so lucky to have Barb as my teacher and I miss her every day. Being without her is a total loss for the education community and I am deeply saddened and heartbroken.

I love you Dr. Machtinger, til we meet again, I will play Sweet Honey on the Rock in your honor.

Ann Holder

July 9, 2017

I was in the history PhD program with Barb at Boston College. She was a wonderful colleague and friend. Her energy was contagious, her humor was infectious and her internal compass for justice and decency was unwavering.

Her students were always lucky to have a teacher with such gifts for interaction and principled engagement.

My condolences to family and friends, all who loved Barb. The world is a richer place for her expansive life, and a poorer place with her loss.

Me now-a blonde

Lisa Jaffe Witham

July 5, 2017

Dear Evelyn. I just heard the devastating news from Michele Hyman Bermel. I don't have any specific stories about your sister but you and I were good buddies. Lisa Jaffe--do you remember me? I've always remembered you and Barbara and Michele and I have often spoken of you both. The entire story is so incredibly sad....I barely know what to say. I know you were both brilliant, lovely young women but Barbara sounds as if she had become an astounding woman. I am so heartbroken for you.

Henry Schipper

July 5, 2017

Barb, I haven't see you since Mifflin St. Madison 1973 but I feel you as if no time has passed. You have something so special and beautiful it's hard to describe. To me, you carry the purest part of the 60s-- a loving, caring and gentle nature, humor and playfulness, commitment and readiness to pitch in, no pretensions or need to shine beyond the way you naturally do, which by the way is unique in the world and what I always see when I think of you. Your nest on Mifflin was a real haven for me and many others. I love you and miss you. Love also to Evelyn, Nan and Fran.

Henry Schipper

Hank Smith

July 5, 2017

So sad to hear this. She was good people. I knew her as a colleague at Bloomfield College. We shared beginnings as "Bronxites" and had conversations about growing up there. Gee...

July 1, 2017

So sorry and sad to hear this. Really enjoyed knowing Barb in the 80's when she was in Boston. My condolences to the family. Especially you Ev. xoLaura (Moskowitz)

Cierra Blakey

June 30, 2017

RIP

Cierra Blakey

June 30, 2017

To a wonderful woman who I had the pleasure of meeting while working at Croasdaile Village Retirement Home as her server. She really brighten up the room with her smile as her nurse will bring her into the dining hall and when I see Ms. Barbara I'll light up as well and hear her sweet voice say, "Hi Honey!!!" And give me a big hug and kiss on my cheek. Or I'll see her come in, with her beautiful purple on, and I automatically know that she wants the citrus peach drink and occasionally she'll change up on me and get or try something different, like this one time she didn't want her usual, the citrus peach, and she couldn't have certain drinks, so I offered the cucumber water and she tried it and enjoyed it. But I know she always wanted her chocolate ice cream after her meal. Ms. Barbara "Barbie" you will be truly missed. It will not be the same without your presence in the dining hall, I miss and love you and Rest In Paradise

eddie Zuniga Orlando

June 30, 2017

we remembering her wonderful and gentle soul, will forever remain in our hearts may she Rest In Peace , Barby your smile and kindness for ever love. Eddie and Orlando

Rochelle Ruthchild

June 30, 2017

A touching and wonderful tribute to Barb and all that she did in her active, productive and exemplary lifetime. She was a special person as is evident by this very special commemoration of her life. Barb was lucky to have so many people who cared about and loved her.

Andrea Muffin Hudson

June 30, 2017

I love spending time with my Barbie doll. She will be missed stay strong Ev,Howard,Lenoard,family and friends

June 30, 2017

Lovely send-off for a beautiful woman who gave many gifts to every life she touched. She will live on in those lives. Sending much love to her family and friends.

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