Barbara Gleeman

On Friday, December 21, 1928, the world
was introduced to
Barbara Lois Ginsburg.

Bobbie Ginsburg.

Bobbie Gleeman.

Mom.

Granny.

Soon-to-be Great Granny.

The minute she was born…they broke the
mold.

……………………
Herbert Hoover was president.

WW1 had ended only ten years ago.
(Think about that).

The country was on the brink of a Great
Depression and WW2 was still to come.

But on that particular Friday, the world
became

 More stylish
 More theatrical
 More artistic
 More fashionable
 More cultured
 MORE DRAMATIC
 More delicious
 More feisty
 More well-read
 More insightful
 More determined
 And decidedly less athletic.

Bobby was born in Elizabeth, as was Allen.

Her father, Julius, and her mother, Sarah,
immigrated from Eastern Europe in the
early 19-aughts to escape the bad things
that were already confronting Jews.

They settled in Roselle and had a family of
four girls, of which Mom was the youngest.
And not surprisingly, by far the most
rebellious.

She finished high school, and didn’t go to
college. So, she was not “highly” educated.
But…she was truly one of the smartest
people I have known in my life. Bobby
educated herself.

Her 96-year life was fascinating and filled
with varied passions.

Her great passion in life was theater and
acting. Since the age of 12, she studied
theater and drama. As a young adult, she

studied this full-time. Later, she would be
proud of saying that her life consisted of
raising a family by day…going to rehearsals
by night.

She was a true and accomplished actress,
having played roles in, starred in and
received glowing reviews for her roles in
dozens of theatrical productions at her
beloved Cranford Dramatic Club and
Westfield Community Players. You saw a
few photos and scripts on your way in this
morning. She played a sassy Peppermint
Patty in ‘You’re a Good Man, Charlie
Brown’.

She played the lead role in the thriller ‘Wait
Until Dark’ (originally played by Audrey
Hepburn in 1967). The role was a blind
woman. To prepare for that role, she
enrolled in a nearby school for the blind.
And for weeks, she would walk around our

house with a blindfold and a white cane.
No cup!

Later, she would coach acting and teach
public speaking.

……………………………………..

Mom was an amazing artist and she
worked in a wide variety of mediums.
Beading. Rug hooking. Macramé
(remember that lost woven art from the
60’s?), mosaics and especially metal
sculpture. She took welding lessons, so
that she could create beautiful pieces, a
couple of which are on display out there.
She would prowl industrial junk piles
foraging for metal scraps to turn into art.
Who does that? Right?

Marc and I remember her ALWAYS being
involved in an art project.

……………………………………..

Bobby was an avid reader. She would
devour books and read the Sunday Times
front page to last.

Fashion? She was always spot on and
perfect. Right up through the end of her life.
She took enormous pride in always
presenting herself magnificently. Whether it
was to go to a restaurant or a doctors
appointment. She always went in style.
Dad, Marc and I were her mannequins…it
was important to her that we looked good,
too. And we did!

Make-up? A skilled artist. She designed
make-up for many a theatrical production.
Did you see the picture of her out there
made up as a lizard? But, her favorite
make-up artistry was in doing it with young
Emma. When Emma was like 4 years old,
Granny would come visit and bring her
entire (very comprehensive) make-up
supply kit. Emma couldn’t wait to dive in

and Granny let her apply her own lipstick,
mascara, eye shadow and rouge, etc. The
finished Emma product would result in what
Granny hilariously described as “the cutest
4 -year-old” prostitute in town”

………………………………………..
Food? Bobby was the original foodie. She
got food. She really was an amazing cook,
which is, of course, why Marc and I love
food and are amazing cooks in our own
right. Modestly speaking.

……………………………………….
And not only was she a reader of books,
she was an incredible reader of people.
She would leap to an instant conclusion
about somebody. Which I would often
challenge her on. “It’s too soon”, I would
say. “Give them a chance.” But, as it would
almost always turn out, she would have lept
to the head of the nail.

………………………………………

So when you think about her interests, her
talents and her accomplishments…was she
highly educated? Yes. Very highly.

And I would love to say, and she would
happily agree, that her greatest passions
and accomplishments in her life are right
here in this room…her beautiful, loving
family.

……………………………………..
Ellen, Giftie, Nana, Bennie. You are angels
on earth. I don’t have the words to thank
you. You stepped into our lives, and
brought Mom loving care, friendship,
capability, patience and true love.

Giftie, you said it best when you said to me,

“Bobby faced everything with such grace,
strength and dignity…qualities that made a
lasting impression on everyone around
her…including me.”

Bobby found this world a fascinating place.

And she left it more fascinating than she
found it.

96 years…and it is still way too soon. But
it’s time. Rest in peace, Mom. We love you.