Barbara Susan Janowitz of Brevard, NC passed away peacefully on Monday, September 22, 2025. Born to Jacob & Dorothy Kantrowitz in 1942, Barbara grew up in Bronx, New York, the second-born of four daughters in the Kantrowitz family.

Barbara attended The City College of New York before earning her Ph. D. in Political Economy at Johns Hopkins University in 1970. While at Johns Hopkins, she met her husband of almost 50 years, Jerry. Barbara & Jerry began their married lives together, living and working in Ohio. Shortly after moving to Ohio, they adopted their son, David.

In 1977, after moving to North Carolina, she began her impactful career at Family Health International (FHI 360). During her distinguished tenure, she directed a division at FHI that conducted and oversaw research on a wide range of reproductive health topics, including social marketing, contraceptive provision, and the integration of health services. Her research was not confined to an office; she collaborated with numerous organizations and worked closely with health ministries in many countries. This hands-on approach ensured her research was relevant and directly applicable to the communities she served. Janowitz authored and co-authored numerous papers, reports, and a manual on costing family planning services, creating a lasting body of work that continues to inform policy and practice today. Barbara Janowitz retired in 2011 as a Senior Technical Advisor leaving behind a legacy that continues to shape the field of global reproductive health.

Barbara is preceded in death by her husband, Jerry. She is survived by her son, David & his wife, Hope, her grandchildren, JJ & Sam, all of Pisgah Forest, NC and her sisters, Diane, Lois & Harriet, all residing in New York.

A private service is planned for the family. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donation be made to The Cindy Platt Boys & Girls Club of Transylvania County.

Online condolences may be left at www.moodyconnollyfuneralhome.com.

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

Published by The News & Observer from Sep. 26 to Sep. 28, 2025.

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wilson carswell

September 29, 2025

David,
I am sorry to hear about the death of your mother Barbara.

She and I were colleagues at FHI in the early 90s. She was very helpful and supportive and I valued her friendship very much. Please accept my sympathy and best wishes,
Wilson Carswell

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