November 13,1938 - February 13, 2020 Barbara Sheinkopf passed away on Thursday, February 13, 2020. Barbara taught English in Pasadena in both public and private schools for more than 40 years. She taught grades 6 through high school. She graduated from Occidental College in 1960. During her first teaching assignment at John Muir High School, she met her true love, Stanley. They married and had two children, Stephen and Megan. She is remembered by her former students as kind, passionate, and as a tough teacher who was determined to teach everyone how to analyze, write, and love literature as much as she did. Dr. Sheinkopf, her husband, was her consummate muse, the man behind the woman throughout their lives for 53 years. She is also remembered by her children as a sweet and loving mother who loved them absolutely unconditionallily. Barbara, who was 81, is survived by her children, Stephen and Megan, and her three grandchildren. All who wish to honor Barbara's memory are invited to attend her memorial service on Friday, March 13, at 12 noon at Mountain View Mortuary, Sunrise Chapel, 2400 Fair Oaks Ave, Altadena. Mountain View Mortuary, Sunrise Chapel, 2400 Fair Oaks Ave., Altadena

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Published by Whittier Daily News on Mar. 3, 2020.

Memories and Condolences
for Barbara Sheinkopf

Sponsored by Whittier Daily News.

8 Entries

Philipp Blume

January 3, 2024

I was a terrible English student... I couldn't be bothered to put my thoughts together into a coherent essay. Ms Sheinkopf never gave up on me, but also never went easy on me. I scraped by in her 9th-grade English class at Poly until the final quarter, when she introduced me to poetry. I responded to poems much more readily than to Shakespeare or 20th-century fiction - was completely enchanted, in fact - and found myself writing about poetry even for "fun". Ms Sheinkopf read all of my efforts and shared her appreciation. We also bonded over a shared love for Calvin and Hobbes cartoons. My condolences to her family.

George Clark

June 13, 2023

The best thing about my 10th grade year at Pasadena High School was that I was lucky enough to have Barbara Sheinkopf as my English and Social Studies teacher. She gave me a personal tour through A Tale of Two Cities, Hamlet, and The Great Gatsby. The result was electrifying! We discussed every nuance of those works and others, before, during, and after class. She was my mentor, opening my eyes to the rich and rewarding study of literature, poetry, and world history. After choosing me to be editor of the school poetry magazine, she ended up doing most of the work. At the end of our year together, she recommended me for admission to an elite humanities team teaching program, which took my education to another level. When I tried to thank her decades later, I was saddened to hear that she didn't remember me, but I finally understood; she was there not just for me, but for all her students. R.I.P. Mrs. Sheinkopf. You are proof that one teacher can make all the difference!

Kyong Kim

April 13, 2023

Mrs. Sheinkopf was the teacher who made me who I am today by teaching me the joy of language and writing. The "A" I received in her 9th grade English class at Flintridge Prep was the most hard earned and meaningful grade I received in my whole life.

Thank you Mrs. Sheinkopf, rest in peace knowing that your students will carry on your legacy and memory.

Ghen Maynard

March 25, 2020

Mrs. Sheinkopf was one of the most inspiring and impactful teachers I had in high school at Polytechnic School. While I think she knows how grateful I was in school for all her attention and encouragement, I regret not letting her know this years later, as so much of what she taught me--in terms of how to sell an argument convincingly and other writing techniques--continue to make me more effective in my own sphere all these years later.

R.I.P., Mrs. Sheinkopf.

John Oh, Poly '87

March 25, 2020

Mrs. Sheinkopf loved her profession, and it showed in the classroom and in her interactions with her students. When I arrived at the Upper School, I didn't have any real passion or talent for English as a subject. Regardless, she spent countless hours trying to inspire my interest in literature. She did this for many of us. As if it happened yesterday, I recall a morning when she tracked me down in the middle of the upper school courtyard, and she handed me a book. She knew that this student, who didn't stand out in any way, loved certain authors. By handing me the biography of Maxwell Perkins, she opened my eyes to a world beyond simple typeset on paper and to the lives and stories of the people who struck the keys. She found another way to inspire a student. Thank you, Mrs. Sheinkopf, for taking the time to truly teach.

March 13, 2020

Barbara, as English teacher for both of my sons, is my hero. She taught them how to think and write. Made them scholars for the rest of their lives. We feel so lucky to know her.

Jim Quismorio ("90)

March 9, 2020

Thank you Mrs. Sheinkopf for so many valuable lessons learned, and fond memories made, during my time in your classroom at Poly.

Mountain View Mortuary and Cemetery

March 2, 2020

Offering our deepest condolences during this difficult time.

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