Marian Ungar "Mimi" Coppersmith

It is with extreme sadness to announce the passing of Mimi Ungar Barash Coppersmith, 92, at the Village at Penn State. On September 14, 2025, the community mourned the loss of a remarkable woman whose lasting imprint is felt on both sides of College Avenue. A philanthropist, businesswoman, and mentor, Mimi was a catalyst for growth and progress in Happy Valley.

From the moment she arrived in State College in 1950 to pursue her undergraduate studies in journalism at Penn State, she was determined to leave her mark. From her early days with The Daily Collegian to founding Town&Gown magazine, Mimi used the editorial platform as a sounding board to make a difference. Through her column Lunch with Mimi, her thought-provoking interviews at times tackled contentious topics that created a buzz. Her outspokenness and courage to share her perspectives through her writing resonated with her readers, which sparked conversations that led to meaningful changes in the community.

Mimi was also co-founder of The Barash Group, an advertising and marketing company she started with husband Sy Barash in the basement of their home in 1959 as a small advertising agency with big ideas. Her daughter Nan continues to operate the business.

In her 2018 memoir Eat First, Cry Later, Mimi's Lesson #2 is to "take advantage of the activities that are right in front of you-whatever your age-to learn, to meet people who challenge you, and to make a demonstrable difference in the lives of others in your community."

Mimi was born on June 11, 1933, the third daughter of Max and Tillie Ungar. In her memoir, she wrote about what it was like growing up in a Jewish immigrant family with a humble beginning in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. She shared her heartbreak over the loss of her brother Calvin in World War II, two beloved husbands Sy Barash and Lou Coppersmith, and surviving breast cancer.

Crediting her daughter Carol for helping her finish her memoir, Mimi hoped that by sharing the most difficult moments in her life, she would help others find the strength to overcome their own personal tragedies and tribulations.

For more than 55 years as Town&Gown's matriarch, her lasting legacy rests in the print publication's success in highlighting the stories and profiles of notable people in the community and capturing the incredible history of State College and Penn State.

In addition, Mimi volunteered her time to serve on the boards of many local organizations, including the State College Area Chamber of Commerce (now CBICC), the Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts, the Renaissance Fund, Centre LifeLink EMS, Palmer Museum of Art, and the State College Choral Society's Holocaust Memorial Project, to name a few.

Her philanthropic contributions to causes are too numerous to list entirely but include the American Cancer Society, Pennsylvania Pink Zone, Girl Scouts, Centre Safe, Youth Service Bureau, Jana Marie Foundation, Strawberry Fields, and Centre County Historical Society, as well as scholarship funds through Centre Gives and Penn State.

Mimi was elected in 1990 as the first female chair of the Penn State Board of Trustees and served two years in that role. Her love for Penn State is evident from her generosity in giving more than $1 million of individual gifts spread throughout the institution.

Mimi's drive and energy were infectious. When she announced her retirement from Town&Gown in 2021, at the age of 88, she dedicated her time to building awareness for causes close to her heart from advocating for women to mentoring and sharing her extensive knowledge in sales and fundraising. Those who had the privilege of being mentored by Mimi would say that she was your biggest cheerleader and would encourage you to strive higher than you could have ever imagined.

Mimi is survived by her two daughters, Nan Barash and her husband, David Schwartz of Bryn Mawr, PA; Carol and her husband, Jed Kwartler of South Orange, New Jersey; her grandchildren, Zachery, Talia, and Eliana Kwartler, and Julia and Will Schwartz; her three great-grandchildren, Lucas Fischer Kwartler, Alexander Fischer Kwartler and Annette Philomene Holt; her brother Sanford Jerome Ungar, his wife Beth of Washington, D.C., and their daughter Lida, and son Philip, niece Marilyn Glassberg and nephew Mark Kahn.

She was preceded in death by her first husband, Sy Barash, and her second husband, W. Louis Coppersmith; sisters Yetta Kahn and Sylvia Glassberg, and brother Calvin Ungar and nephew Calvin Kahn.

She will be buried beside her first husband, Sy, in the Jewish section of Centre County Memorial Park in a private ceremony. A Celebration of her Life will be held at Congregation Brit Shalom, 620 East Hamilton Avenue, State College, at a future date and time to be announced.

Memorial contributions can be made to the Barash Family Renaissance Scholarships, Congregation Brit Shalom, and the College of Communications Barash Scholarship for Study Abroad.

In Eat First, Cry Later, Mimi wrote, "At a young age, I learned that life is filled with losses that feel unendurable, but somehow you go on." Mimi will be deeply missed by her family and those who knew her because she was truly one of a kind.

Mimi loved to quote Eleanor Roosevelt, another strong and outspoken woman in history, so it is fitting to send her off with wisdom from Eleanor that she would appreciate.

"Do the things that interest you and do them with all your heart. Don't be concerned about whether people are watching you or criticizing you. The chances are that they aren't paying any attention to you. It's your attention to yourself that is so stultifying. But you have to disregard yourself as completely as possible. If you fail the first time, then you'll just have to try harder the second time. After all, there's no real reason why you should fail. Just stop thinking about yourself."