Barbara Joan Sheerin (Waitzman)

Barbara Joan Waitzman Sheerin (née Margolis), of New York, NY, died peacefully at home on June 8, 2025. Born in Brooklyn on May 31, 1939, to Samuel and Gladys Margolis, Barbara grew up in East Flatbush, then lived in Brooklyn Heights and the West Village, and part-time in Sag Harbor, NY. She graduated from Tilden High School and Brooklyn College. In the early 1970s, she began a successful career in marketing of technology consultants, a male-dominated field at the time; she also co-owned a business in this field. Barbara later returned to creative writing, which she had studied as an undergraduate and again at The New School. She was one of the original, pioneering Saint Ann's School parents in Brooklyn Heights, enrolling her daughter Lisa in the first grade the year the then-tiny school opened in 1965, and her son Michael two years later when he started first grade. They both graduated from the school.



Barbara was beloved by a large family and life-long friends. She is survived by children and stepchildren Lisa Waitzman Melartin (Jussi), Michael Waitzman, Raymond Sheerin Jr. (Ally Rodbell), Matthew Sheerin (Eileen), Mark Sheerin (Tanya Velazquez); grandchildren Noelle Melartin, Lilly Melartin (Dmitry Merkulov), Allison Wittbold (Patrick), Raymond Sheerin III (Carley Copeland), Alexander Sheerin, Kati Sanchez (Marc), Richard Graham; sister-in-law Barbara Margolis, nephew Steven Margolis (Jenifer), niece Dr. Jennifer Fryer (Dr. Eric); seven great-grandchildren and four grandniece/nephews, and many cousins and dear friends of all ages. She was preceded in death by beloved husband Raymond Sheerin, stepdaughter Laurie Sheerin, ex-husband Simon Waitzman, adored grandson Cody Melartin, brother Dr. Robert Margolis, and many cherished cats and dogs. Barbara was a dedicated, lifelong supporter of liberal human and animal rights causes, and treated everyone she encountered with deeply felt empathy and compassion. We will forever love and miss our Ma, our Baba, our dear friend Barbara.