BARBARA ROOT Obituary

ROOT--Barbara. The entire 91st Street Sacred Heart community deeply mourns the passing of an extraordinarily devoted mentor and friend. An advocate for the mission of our school and the education of the mind, body and spirit, Barbara inspired countless individuals with her guidance, love and purpose as she led Sacred Heart admissions from 1984 until her retirement in the spring of 2009. She left an indelible mark on thousands of Sacred Heart families with her warm heart, clear thinking and spirituality. Our thoughts and prayers are with her husband, Oren, her daughters, Micaela '96 and Zoe '00, and her entire family.

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Published by New York Times on Dec. 20, 2009.

Memories and Condolences
for BARBARA ROOT

Sponsored by Lesley Nan Haberman .

8 Entries

Leila Marie Badran

January 3, 2010

Barbara Root embodied the goals and spirit of Sacred Heart. She walked the talk. I remember sending candidates for admission to Sacred Heart. Barbara never waivered. She was always conscious of the school's mission and the school community's best interest.
I appreciated very much her encouragement and support when I decided to found Little Flower Nursery School. Her discernment was wise; her humor contagious. She has now joined other members of the RSCJ community whom she loved much.
My sisters, Hayat Miriam, Aida, Mona and Magda join me in expressing our deepest condolences. Please rest assured of our prayers, love and Masses for Barbara and the entire Root family. We stand on God's promise that our sadness and pain are temporary. We will all meet again someday in eternal celebration. Love to you all,

Jeri Gordon

January 2, 2010

I remember Barbara from boarding school days in Greenwich, and over the years, I loved reading about her devotion to 91st Street. She seemed to be a true child of the Sacred Heart. Her family is in my prayers, especially Oren who is also fondly remembered from decades ago.

December 21, 2009

I knew Barbara from our Freshman year at Manhattanville-- We always called her Schruth. We were suite mates for the last two years--I remember how smart she was!! And, that she called Will Short one day at the NY Times to tell him his crossword was wrong!!!
She was in love with Oren from the beginning and apparently always! It was because of her that we got Oren to come to tutor in Harlem--he bravely was the only man among college women and RSCJs.
I am confident that Barbara's children have her spirit and passion and that it will serve them well. I am at a loss to offer any useful condolence to Oren-- as I knew them to be soul mates.
Thoughts and prayers from here to "Schruth's" family.
Nancy McMahon, PsyD, Denver

Rebecca Grunwald

December 21, 2009

I am so sad to hear of Barbara's death. I had the joy of working with her on the Board of West Side Montessori School in NYC for a short time a few years ago. Her wise words and sense of kindness helped to set the school on a good course. I loved watching her needlework develop during meetings; she was a great artist in that medium. She will be missed by so many. I feel fortunate to have known her.

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Liz Cremens

December 21, 2009

I was privileged to be a classmate of Barbara's at Manhattanville. Early on our freshman year her lively and open spirit displayed itself to all and throughout the four years she was positive force.

Jean Wall

December 21, 2009

Stunned and numb to the point of speechlessness, I can barely breathe at the news of Barbara's death. We are heartbroken. Prayers are lifting. Wish I could be of some use.

Our love and condolences.

Jeannie, Caitlin and Conor Wall

Lisa Kohl

December 21, 2009

I had the good fortune of knowing Barbara for over twenty-five years. Most recently we served together as trustees at The West Side Montessori School where her educational expertise made a profound impact. In addition to the invaluable input that she gave to the school, I marvelled at how she skillfully would tend to her needle work while weighing in on important decisions. Barbara was thoughtful, intelligent and wise. She was a truly wonderful woman and I will miss her dearly.

Beth Davenport

December 20, 2009

I read with sadness this morning of Barbara's death. I was in her class at Manhattanville. We were not close friends but were both from Greenwich, CT. One memory of her I have held all these years, of being with other friends at her home and her suggestion we all play Beazlebub, the legendary prince of demons, the story beginning in a darkened room! We laughed and played so hard, Barbara's imagination and creative spirit leading us all.

I have thought a number of times of tracking her down to thank her for that burst of creativity that took hold in me that night and regret I never did and hope she died knowing her creative genius lives on even for those of us whose lives she only briefly touched.

I send my condolences to all her family.

Beth Davenport
Santa Fe, New Mexico
[email protected]

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