Barbara Starr

On August 28, 2022, Barbara Shaw Rankin Starr, known to all as Bobbie, passed away in a peaceful sleep after a long battle with health issues at age 91. Born and raised in Nutley, NJ, she was the daughter of Margaret Dickinson Shaw and Alan Shaw. Her husbands Leonard Starr, a celebrated cartoonist, and Arthur Rankin, a film producer and director, pre-deceased her. Bobbie lived in New York and Japan before spending many happy years in Westport, CT after her marriage to Leonard.

Always optimistic, witty, and exceptionally beautiful, she was a loyal and lifelong friend to many people. As a teenager, Bobbie launched her successful modeling career in New York while living at the Rehearsal Club, a famous residence for young aspiring actresses and models that she loved recalling with loads of laughs and fond memories.

Bobbie was always a survivor with no regrets; she relished telling wonderful stories about her life to both old friends and new. Everyone loved her tales. She was a consummate storyteller.

She is survived by nieces Robin Barry (Dave) and Susan Shaw Merrimack (Carlton), nephew Robert A Shaw Jr. (Marylou), grandnephew Christopher Wyman, and grandnieces Erica Fulfari and Courtney Stevenson. Chelsea Barry, a grandniece, pre-deceased her.

Jill and Joshua Rizack deserve much thanks for looking after Bobbie's wellbeing over the last few years. And Bobbie could not have had a more devoted, loving caretaker than Elizabeth Kerman who moved in with her after her beloved husband Leonard died. Thank you so much, Elizabeth.

Bobbie's dearest friend was her stepson Gardner Rankin.Gardner wishes for Bobbie to be interred at Grace Church near his home in Manhattan. Bobbie will be very happy to be so close to Gardner.

We love you, Bobbie, and will always miss your bright smile and lively sense of humor.