Although Barbara and I moved in different circles, I remember her for her bubbly personality . We saw each other at the 40th reunion. I join the others who express sorrow to have learned of her passing, and sympathy to those closest to her .
I am very sorry to hear about Barbara's passing. I was recently in touch with her after so many years of no contact. I had mistakenly e-mailed her thinking I was e-mailing somebody else. We ended up talking on the phone, catching up a bit and trying to plan a time to get together as our businesses were related. At the reunion, I had discovered, through the conversation with a fellow classmate, that she had been ill for quite some time; she had never let on. I never would have known that she was so sick. What a trouper! I extend my condolences to her family and hope she rests in peace..
So very sad to hear about Barbara's passing. She stayed so positive in the months of her illness. She had a life-loving personna and will be missed by the her many friends and loving family. I consider myself fortunate to have known her. Rest in peace!
I have very fond memories of Barbara, and am very sorry to learn of her passing. One vivid memory is that she was nearly always the first one that the guys ( especially the short guys) asked to dance at the Bar Mitzvah parties.
I was very sorry to hear of Barbara's passing. We were not really friends, but I remember her as one of those larger than life people in high school who seemed to have it all. I also remember her Brenda Lee imitation.
I have very fond memories of Barbara from Minadeo and Allderdice. She always had a beaming smile and a warm heart. I'm glad that I had the opportunity to see and speak with her at the 40th reunion. One of my life's highlights was being with her in the Peter Pan class play.
Sarnoff , of New York, NY, was a Pittsburgh native and is survived by her beloved children, Rory Tahari, Josh Green (Lindsey), and Brittany Portman; cherished grandchildren, Jeremey and Zoe Tahari and Noah Green; sister Phyllis Neiberg (Larry); nieces Natalie Oliner and Elyssa Bennett (Randy); nephew Michael Neiberg (Barbara) and his daughters Claire and Maya. Ms. Portman was the daughter of the late Nathan and Evelyn Saroff and the wife of the late Jae Portman. Ms. Portman spoke so lovingly of her family that she was once told: "You have so many masterpieces; you should have your own museum." Ms. Portman graduated with high honors from University of Pittsburgh and went on to earn her M. Ed. from Georgia State University and her J.D. from Emory University School of Law. Ms. Portman worked on countless theater, film, television, and recording projects since the age of eight. Most recently, she was the producer for Martin Charnin and Richard Rodgers' Broadway reading, "Two By Two." Ms. Portman was tireless in raising money to fight breast cancer. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to bcrf.org in honor of Ms. Portman's beloved late sister, Renee Sue Saroff Oliner.
I had the opportunity to work with Barbara over the last year; and with everything she had going on she never complained once. Barbara always had a smile on her face and was always positive. She was a wonderful person and will be sorely missed. My condolences to her family during this difficult time.
Babsy and I were best friends from a very early age. I think I slept at her house on Mt Royal Road more than I slept in my own bed. The summer of ‘61, our families travelled together on vacation driving all the way to Miami Beach. My memories of her are vivid and sweet. I was very shy and sheltered; her personality was larger than life. I was enchanted by her spunk. She was a performer and I was her best audience. I’d accompany her parents Evelyn and Nate as they showcased Babsy’s talents at senior homes, community centers and variety shows. I sat in awe of her sequined costumes and her Ethel Merman voice. How could someone so skinny and tiny (her mom actually fed her Ensure to fatten her up) belt out Bei Mir Bist Du Schoen with such pizazz. She was in total control at such a young age – self-assured, strong willed and driven. She took me under her wing and decided I was her project. We remained friends all the way into Pitt where are paths took different curves. Through the many years since, we stayed in contact - shared photos of kids, then grandkids, and obits of sisters and parents lost. Although we rarely saw each other, that history of lived experiences stayed iron tight. Many months ago, she texted me about her rare, terminal cancer. I furiously donated to Sloan Kettering but felt helpless and sad. Though my office was a mere 15-minute subway ride away, she wouldn’t allow visitors. I respected that – after all this was about her, not me. Up until the weekend she passed away, we were texting daily. Through it all, she remained the life force I remember as a child. My deepest condolences to her family! She will be remembered fondly.
Thank you all for your memories and comments about "Babsy" whom I remember so well also from Minadeo days. She was so talented and an inspiration and a great example to all of us back then.
I am so very sorry to hear of her death and that it was a rare terminal illness. My condolences to the entire family.
We have no idea what is in store for any of us, and need to heed the moment to do the things that are important, to express the thoughts that will be meaningful to others and to ourselves, and not just put things off. (Message to self......)
Betty Breverman (Marcus)
Although Barbara and I moved in different circles, I remember her for her bubbly personality . We saw each other at the 40th reunion. I join the others who express sorrow to have learned of her passing, and sympathy to those closest to her .
Marilyn Pasekoff
I am very sorry to hear about Barbara's passing. I was recently in touch with her after so many years of no contact. I had mistakenly e-mailed her thinking I was e-mailing somebody else. We ended up talking on the phone, catching up a bit and trying to plan a time to get together as our businesses were related. At the reunion, I had discovered, through the conversation with a fellow classmate, that she had been ill for quite some time; she had never let on. I never would have known that she was so sick. What a trouper! I extend my condolences to her family and hope she rests in peace..
Stuart Hoffman
So very sad to hear about Barbara's passing. She stayed so positive in the months of her illness. She had a life-loving personna and will be missed by the her many friends and loving family. I consider myself fortunate to have known her. Rest in peace!
Mark Yecies
I have very fond memories of Barbara, and am very sorry to learn of her passing. One vivid memory is that she was nearly always the first one that the guys ( especially the short guys) asked to dance at the Bar Mitzvah parties.
Gloria Tobias (Sherman)
I was very sorry to hear of Barbara's passing. We were not really friends, but I remember her as one of those larger than life people in high school who seemed to have it all. I also remember her Brenda Lee imitation.
So sad to hear of her passing..
Sandor Lubisch
I have very fond memories of Barbara from Minadeo and Allderdice. She always had a beaming smile and a warm heart. I'm glad that I had the opportunity to see and speak with her at the 40th reunion. One of my life's highlights was being with her in the Peter Pan class play.
Barbara Markowitz (Turk)
BARBARA PORTMAN
| Visit Guest BookObituary in December 3, 2017 New York Times
PORTMAN--Barbara Lee
Sarnoff , of New York, NY, was a Pittsburgh native and is survived by her beloved children, Rory Tahari, Josh Green (Lindsey), and Brittany Portman; cherished grandchildren, Jeremey and Zoe Tahari and Noah Green; sister Phyllis Neiberg (Larry); nieces Natalie Oliner and Elyssa Bennett (Randy); nephew Michael Neiberg (Barbara) and his daughters Claire and Maya. Ms. Portman was the daughter of the late Nathan and Evelyn Saroff and the wife of the late Jae Portman. Ms. Portman spoke so lovingly of her family that she was once told: "You have so many masterpieces; you should have your own museum." Ms. Portman graduated with high honors from University of Pittsburgh and went on to earn her M. Ed. from Georgia State University and her J.D. from Emory University School of Law. Ms. Portman worked on countless theater, film, television, and recording projects since the age of eight. Most recently, she was the producer for Martin Charnin and Richard Rodgers' Broadway reading, "Two By Two." Ms. Portman was tireless in raising money to fight breast cancer. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to bcrf.org in honor of Ms. Portman's beloved late sister, Renee Sue Saroff Oliner.
Jack Gross
I had the opportunity to work with Barbara over the last year; and with everything she had going on she never complained once. Barbara always had a smile on her face and was always positive. She was a wonderful person and will be sorely missed. My condolences to her family during this difficult time.
Jack N. Gross
Betsy Werner (Fabricant)
Babsy and I were best friends from a very early age. I think I slept at her house on Mt Royal Road more than I slept in my own bed. The summer of ‘61, our families travelled together on vacation driving all the way to Miami Beach. My memories of her are vivid and sweet. I was very shy and sheltered; her personality was larger than life. I was enchanted by her spunk. She was a performer and I was her best audience. I’d accompany her parents Evelyn and Nate as they showcased Babsy’s talents at senior homes, community centers and variety shows. I sat in awe of her sequined costumes and her Ethel Merman voice. How could someone so skinny and tiny (her mom actually fed her Ensure to fatten her up) belt out Bei Mir Bist Du Schoen with such pizazz. She was in total control at such a young age – self-assured, strong willed and driven. She took me under her wing and decided I was her project. We remained friends all the way into Pitt where are paths took different curves. Through the many years since, we stayed in contact - shared photos of kids, then grandkids, and obits of sisters and parents lost. Although we rarely saw each other, that history of lived experiences stayed iron tight. Many months ago, she texted me about her rare, terminal cancer. I furiously donated to Sloan Kettering but felt helpless and sad. Though my office was a mere 15-minute subway ride away, she wouldn’t allow visitors. I respected that – after all this was about her, not me. Up until the weekend she passed away, we were texting daily. Through it all, she remained the life force I remember as a child. My deepest condolences to her family! She will be remembered fondly.
Merrianne Moss (Leff)
Thank you all for your memories and comments about "Babsy" whom I remember so well also from Minadeo days. She was so talented and an inspiration and a great example to all of us back then.
I am so very sorry to hear of her death and that it was a rare terminal illness. My condolences to the entire family.
We have no idea what is in store for any of us, and need to heed the moment to do the things that are important, to express the thoughts that will be meaningful to others and to ourselves, and not just put things off. (Message to self......)