ZABAR-- Lori. Passed away at home after a five-year battle with cancer at the age of 67 on February 3, 2022. Born on the Upper West Side, and a life-long New Yorker, Lori loved the art, architecture, and the dynamic culture of cities, but especially that of her beloved New York. Lori graduated from Barnard College, Columbia School of Architecture Historic Preservation Program, and NYU School of Law. She first practiced law, and then was the first Director of the NYC Historic Properties Fund at the New York Landmarks Conservancy. She then co-owned Kurland-Zabar antiques gallery with Catherine Kurland and was a researcher in the American Wing of The Metropolitan Museum of Art for many years. Lori is the author of numerous articles and two books: "Zabar's: A Family Story, with Recipes," and co- author of "American Portrait Miniatures in The Metropolitan Museum of Art." She curated the exhibition "Roaring into the Future: New York 1925-1935" at the Munson- Williams-Proctor Art Institute. Lori served on the Boards of Landmark West, Symphony Space, and the Preservation League of New York State, and was a member of the Century Association and Thursday Evening Club. Her paternal grandparents Louis and Lilian Zabar founded Zabar's, the Upper West Side gourmet food emporium. She is survived by her parents Judith and Stanley Zabar, her beloved husband Mark Mariscal, children Henry and Marguerite, siblings David Zabar and Dr. Sondra Zabar, and many dear relatives and friends. Lori was the consummate host, gathering friends from different walks of life for lively dinners in her home. She was a bright light that many were drawn to. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Lori's honor to The Preservation League of New York State. A memorial service will be held at Riverside Memorial Chapel, 180 West 76th St., on Sunday, February 6th at 11:00am.

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Published by New York Times on Feb. 5, 2022.

Memories and Condolences
for LORI ZABAR

33 Entries

Natalie Picow

January 30, 2024

I miss Lori! I still can´t believe she´s gone. She was a big influence in my life. Love to the Zabar family!

Lawrence Schwin III

February 26, 2023

I was saddened to just notice this posting about Lori's passing. She was a friend and classmate from our Columbia Preservation years. I remember her as an energetic, focused shining star and a pleasure to know. Though I had not seen her since those days, I have always associated her wonderful spirit with that program and profession. My condolences.

Natalie Beth Picow

January 30, 2023

One year ago and I still can´t believe she´s gone! Although I hadn´t seen Lori recently, I will always treasure our twice a week sessions where we talked about everything under the sun! I would tell her about my dating life, and she would laugh and say, "Natalie you keep me young!" When I had a problem with my health, she phoned her brother-in-law, a doctor, and insisted that he see me! She gave me recipes and advice, and her infectious smile and delightful personality seemed like it would last forever. I´m sad that it had been so long since I´d been in touch and deeply saddened about her passing. Much love to the entire Zabar family!

Marcia Wiesenfeld

November 15, 2022

I am terribly saddened to learn of Lori's untimely passing, having thought of her today as I sometimes have and found this news. I too, was a classmate of Lori's at P.S.139 in Rego Park. Even then, Lori was a shining star, the smartest girl in the class and clearly destined for the greatness she so marvelously fulfilled. She touched my life very personally at that time with her immense kindness and goodness; her caring, humor, cheerfulness and wide, beautiful, bright smile. Though our lives diverged I never forgot Lori Zabar, such was her impact. A rare gem. A truly special and wonderful person. My sincerest condolences to her entire family and loved ones.

Chalmer Family of Virginia

July 18, 2022

Reading Lori's wonderfully warm and informative book on Zabar's, I was immediately reminded of family and cousins gathered around a Pesach table. Thank you, Lori, for sharing your family, writing talent, and joyous remembrances with us all. I wish I had met you.

ADRIENNE AND JOSEPH BRESNAN, FAIA

June 12, 2022

We knew Lori from our time in the Historic Preservation Program at Columbia University and for years working in the field in New York City. She was certainly one of the brightest stars in our profession, and her contribution to The City was enormous. She was a role model for young women becoming professionals and serving society with creativity and generosity. We offer condolences to her family, and join innumerable friends and colleagues in remembering Lori in friendship and respect.

Diane Golfin

May 23, 2022

I just now read of Lori's passing in the Barnard Alumnae Magazine. We were in the same graduating class, and were in some art classes together. Although a petite person, she had a very large presence and tremendous self confidence. I send sincere condolences to her family. May her memory be a blessing.

Harris L. Cohen, MD (Sam Cohen´s son)

May 19, 2022

Condolences on the loss of Lori
May her memory be for a blessing

Swimmie

February 18, 2022

What a life well lived. What a fight well fought.

Shelley (Lefkowitch) White

February 17, 2022

For those of us who spent our childhoods growing up in Mohegan Colony, summer was an idyllic and uniquely meaningful time. My memories of growing up there with Lori as fellow camper, neighbor and dear childhood friend are deeply etched and came flooding back when I learned of her untimely passing. The sweet remembrance of playing with Lori in her backyard and running with her along a path to her grandmother Lillian's home through the wooded trees is as clear today as if it were yesterday. To me, Lori always had a twinkle in her eye and a sweet, infectious smile that could make you forget anything else that was happening at that moment. I can still feel the warm breezes of a summer night when Stanley and Judy would take the two of us (and sometimes other little friends too) to the Paramount movie theater in Peekskill and out for ice cream afterwards. And...being camp mates in Mohegan Colony Day Camp meant sharing all the wonderful things children share at camp - Arts and Crafts, Music and folk songs with Tommy on guitar in the Big Room and under the two music trees with the chinning bar in between, Hare and Hound races and Swimming at the lake. It was where we learned about friendship and values, civil rights, activism, and the world at large.

To say that Lori was smart would be a major understatement. As adolescents a small group of us would park our sand chairs in a line at the beach at the lake (much as our parents had done in the earlier generation) and discuss everything from popular culture, the news, the ever-present local gossip and, of course, our hopes and dreams. It was our own "salon in the sand" from those years. I remember vividly when one afternoon we were talking about what we were studying and Lori told me about her interest in Historic Preservation and wanting to study this at Barnard/Columbia. Now this was fascinating! Here was an interest (or, more accurately, a passion about) something that was tangible, real-world, and certainly different from the liberal arts studies that most of us had embarked upon. Even then Lori's determination and desire to make a difference was apparent.

As the years went by Lori and I stayed in touch only intermittently as marriage, careers and raising children took over our time and attention. Life intervened but despite the passage of years the bond remains. I was blessed to have known Lori for so many years growing up and know that who she was, what she accomplished and the many ways in which she touched the people who knew her and the city she loved will always be remembered. My brother Jay, my sister Amy and I send our deep condolences to Stanley, Judy, David, Sondra and Lori's husband Mark and her children Henry and Marguerite. May Lori's memory be for a blessing.

Gail Lima-Richmond

February 13, 2022

Dear Judy & Stanley and Family, Your Key West friends and I among them send our deepest condolences in your loss of Lori. May you be comforted in the memories of all of Lori's accomplishments. Peace & Love, Gail (& Franko...)

Natalie Picow

February 13, 2022

My deepest heartfelt condolences to the entire Zabar family and especially Henry, Marguerite, Mark, Judith, Stanley & Sondra. Lori was bright light and will be deeply missed. RIP

Natalie Picow

February 12, 2022

I am deeply saddened to hear of the untimely passing of my friend Lori Zabar. I worked for LorI for 10 years as her personal trainer in her beautiful Manhattan home. We would talk about everything under the sun including good books, good food, art exhibits and theater. She was supportive and kind and a great client and a dear person who loved art, architecture, Historic preservation and New York City. She especially loved the upper West side. I haven´t been in touch with her for years since I got married and moved to the suburbs and went onto other endeavors. She was always so supportive of my artistic pursuits. When I told her one time that I had to quit because I had to go on location in Vermont for a movie she said, "I´m happy for you, sad for me." Now, I´m sad for me, her family, her community, the historic preservation worlds and for her untimely passing. She was a dear person with smile that lit up a room. She was an important part of my life. She will be dearly missed. RIP

Jan Koehler

February 11, 2022

So sorry for your loss. NYC has lost an icon.

Sandia

February 11, 2022

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

Laurie Kuslansky, PhD

February 10, 2022

Lori was a fellow camper at the Mohegan Colony Day Camp and was always sweet, fun, funny, bright, kind and humble and I am deeply saddened to hear of her battle and her passing much too soon. My sincere sympathies go to her brother David, sister Sondra, husband, children and parents. Heartbreaking. She made a difference. May she rest in peace.

Richard Klein

February 9, 2022

I am so very sorry to hear about the untimely passing of Lori Zabar. My condolences to Mark, Henry and Marguerite. I was a neighbor at 565 West End Ave. and will always remember the vibrant, interesting woman that I would see sometimes daily in our lobby or elevator. She will be missed.

Deborah and Chet Davis

February 8, 2022

Our deepest condolences

Jonathan Canter and Tajlei Levis

February 8, 2022

A lovely person and a wonderful neighbor. May her memory be a blessing.

Claude and Edith Moyse

February 8, 2022

With our deepest condolences.

Martha Fleischman

February 8, 2022

A smiling and shining light in the American Wing of the Metropolitan Museum. She will be missed always.

Michele Wesen Bryant

February 7, 2022

I am still knocked sideways by news of Lori´s untimely death. We were childhood friends, in the same class K through 6th at PS139. Because children were assigned seats alphabetically we often sat in close proximity. My memories of Lori and the Zabar family are quite random: political activism early on with the family cat named after Eugene McCarthy; a weekend (on long island?) where we went to a drive in movie to see Planet of the Apes; more movie going to Dr. Zhivago (R rated) when we weren´t really of age; and a brief reconnection as adults over dim sum lunch. My deepest sympathies to the entire family.

Helaine Fendelman

February 7, 2022

I knew Lori through the art and antiques world and during her work with The Metropolitan Museum of Art. I am saddened to learn of her untimely death. We have lost a very wonderful creative lady.

Andrea Furman Roth

February 6, 2022

So deeply saddened by Lori's passing. Such a remarkable
woman. Thank goodness for wonderful memories. With sincere and loving sympathy to her FAMILY.

Hope Bernstein, Joan and Tom Harris, Michael and Iris Bernstein.

February 6, 2022

Lori was an amazing woman. So, so sad to hear of her passing. Our deepest condolences.

Melanie Jay

February 5, 2022

May her memory be a blessing. Sending love and healing to Lori´s family.

Andrew Simon

February 5, 2022

Our deepest sympathies,

The Simon Family

Alexandra Zolot

February 5, 2022

Sending my deepest condolences and lots of love to your family in this difficult time.

Ann Beha

February 5, 2022

Lori was a wonderful client, thinker, and she was, really, a visionary. She was "New York's finest", and leaves legacies of great writing, friendships, and leadership. Sending wishes to all of her family and to her many admirers.
Ann Beha

Dan Dubno and Lisa Bernstein

February 5, 2022

Such a wonderful woman... a blessing of a daughter... an astounding an beloved sister... a wonderful wife and mother... a creative force for good... a wise, sweet, generous soul. We have lost a great light and charitable friend. May her memory be a blessing to all those she loved so dearly. Words are inadequate to express the loss or do her justice.

Tobi Klar, M.D.

February 5, 2022

I was profoundly saddened to learn of Lori"s untimely passing. We were childhood friends, and although we had lost touch, I have often thought about her infectious smile, sharp wit (especially in Mrs. Safarik's classroom) , and generosity of spirit. May her memory be a blessing to you.

Susan Nial

February 5, 2022

It is with deep sadness that I hear of Lori´s passing. Her work in preservation particularly with Landmark West! Inspired us all. My deepest sympathy and condolences to her family and friends.

David Brown -Santa Fe,New Mexico

February 5, 2022

I knew Lori in the mid 80´s when was deeply involved with preserving historic NYC. She cared and she was not afraid of saying so. Good woman down.

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