It was interesting, and prophetic, that a dear friend of mine, Mari, passed away on Monday, July 17th. It is interesting because before she died, she reminded me of my telling her of my dear, dear friend Barbara's calling me the day before she died to "say goodbye." And we did say more than "goodbye" to each other, as you can well imagine.

Mari was 98, almost 99, and she "arranged' with Hospice to ease her into leaving as peacefully and painlessly as possible should she be put into a situation where recuperation was a "ridiculous idea." So she called me when this "ridiculous situation" arrived to say goodbye, quoting Barbara! Since she was quite lucid, I said, "Let's talk a little later; I'll call you this afternoon."

And I did. But her daughter (as close to me as a sister) said, "She's sleeping, and having a lot of trouble breathing." We decided that Karen should put the phone to Mari's ear anyway, and I would say all the things to her that I wanted. I instructed her to answer if she heard me and try to move her lips. She emitted a short, low groan. She heard me!

Karen and I were elated! A short while later I heard some great news about a situation that Mari was giving another friend advice about just 4 days prior to this. I called Karen back and asked her to once again put the phone to Mari's ear. I told her of the good news and asked her to SMILE if she heard/understood. And guess what, in her "deep sleep" her mouth quivered into a smile and she emitted another soft, low groan! She heard me again!

This rather lengthy saga is remarkable because this is the 2nd time in 2 weeks that I have made verbal reference about Barbara, both times to people she didn't know, but both times talking about her as though she were right by my side!

I do this often, and I just assume Barbara is listening. I always will. Though physically not here, Barb is always with me in thought and spirit. And in my heart! I loved her dearly!

Judi Forrest

She was "A Force of Nature", no doubt about it. Even today, she is missed by a lot of people.

Missing my wonderful mother today and everyday.

So special to remember this wonderful lady. From the tennis court to the kitchen and all space in between.

On the second anniversary of her death and the day before what would have been her 95th birthday, I remember my mother with much love and affection for the truly amazing person that she was. She will never be forgotten and will live in our loving vibrant memories every day. We miss you Mom.

Barbara lives on through her magnificent family. She was truly a unique person in so many ways. Her legacy of love is unsurpassed, and thus I think of her often and hold her in my heart always. The world is less beautiful without her. I picture her cuddling with Chica in heaven. But here on Earth she is missed so much.  Amy flax

Remembering and missing Mom during the holidays.

I received something which I share below from friends who lost their child this year which reminded me, there are worse things than losing your beloved mom at almost 93, as much as i miss her.

"When we lose someone we love, we must learn not to live without them, but to live with the love they left behind." -- Unknown

Mom gave so much love to so many in the time time she was with us. It is that way that we must remember and cherish her memory.

I love you Mom.

A year later and I am still unable to truly express my loss here but so appreciate those that have. It provides such comfort to know that our experience with our extraordinary mom was real. My sister so eloquently captured our loss and my daughter Blair too in her tribute last year when she said that mom “was one of the great loves of my life.” Forever missed indeed. +Patricia

On the anniversary of her death and her 94th birthday, I had hoped to be able to find some way to express my love and the profound loss that I feel for my beloved mother who was such a light in my life and so many others.  There just feels like there is a lot less love in the world without her cheery voice and smiling face, and always helpful self, baking cookies, driving somewhere to pick up or drop off or help someone. She was all about love, all the time, unless of course you were a cheater or a faker, and then, not so much.... But for those of us who she loved unconditionally, we were surrounded by her love and reminded constantly by her attentiveness that we were at the center of her universe. For so many years our worlds revolved around her, not out of duty or demand, but because we wanted to be with her, knowing how lucky we were to have such an extraordinary being as our mom and wanting to share our lives with her. There is so much more to be said and perhaps over time I'll be able to say more but for now the pain and the loss still overwhelms all the words. I miss you Mom.

Happy birthday in Heaven Barbara. You are sorely missed by your golf friends. Your spirit will always be with us and you will never be forgotten.  Hope you are enjoying Paradise. 

What do I say about Barbara that hasn’t been said. She was all the good things you could think of. I met her at my previous practice as one of the patients... but before I knew she became a family. After she learned that I was alone and my family lived far, she made sure I didn’t miss my family during the holidays. She made me part of her family instantly and I feel extremely blessed. Everyone so incredibly loving, generous, warm hearted. I’ll miss her so much, her beautiful smile, her crazy stories from when she was young, and not to mention her amazing cookies, brownies and lemon bars. Until we meet again... Rest In Peace.

Barbara was truly one of the most giving, strong, and selfless people I've ever had the privilege of meeting. Her laugh made even the gloomiest day brighter and her fierce spirit was a daily inspiration. She was thoughtful, doing for others without hesitation and wanting nothing in return.

I'll never forget the conversations we had about music, going back and forth about the memories songs bring to the surface, all while singing, dancing, and laughing to the beat.

Barbara was a constant reminder to live life out loud and fully. I'll miss her always.

We met Barbara several months after our puppy Sophie arrived. She taught us so much about puppies and living life to the fullest every day. Whether fly fishing in Carmel, or zipping around town on her Vespa, or taking her grandchildren on international adventures, Barbara was always all in. Sophie used to shake with excitement when my car turned off Avon going to her house.  We all loved knowing Barbara and following her fearless and joyful life. What a woman!

Shortly after I was introduced to Barbara Lippe for the first time, she asked her granddaughter - my best friend - "Is he the one?"

Blair clarified that even though we loved each other very much, there was one insurmountable stumbling block: "Grammy, Bash is gay."

Her reply: "So what?"

If anyone inspires me to believe in the otherwise overused and overly simplistic phrase "Love is Love" - it is Barbara. As all the comments here attest, love was her signature. I see her profound capacity for love in my friendship - or rather, common-law-friend-marriage - with Blair; in the full body hugs I always get from Patricia and Russ (not to mention selfless support of my family in our own tough times); in the generosity and good humor I feel everytime I'm at Pam and Guy's house in Coldspring. Barbara's legacy is everywhere to see in the lives of the people she loved.

I felt it directly, too, on several holiday and family occasions, when Barbara the giggling matriarch sat across from or next to me at the table and cracked jokes at lightning speed. She made me feel like I was part of the family (which again, by common law, I am). She was so alive and full of that vital force that only reveals itself in beings who truly know how to live.

I'm grateful to have known you, Barbara, and to be able to enjoy the blessing of your memory with your family for the rest of our lives.

Rest in giggly and loving peace.

Love,
Bash

Barbara made it possible us to survive in Bronxville during the 6 years we lived there having moved from the west coast. Not only did she care for our lab Molly , who would gladly have moved in with her, but she cared for us as well.
She had a wealth of information and was very generous with all of it.
And to top it all she was always so much fun! We missed her when we moved back to to the west.
She was a great lady and she lived a full remarkable life! Our love to Patricia and Pam and their families. Jean and Jim

A lot of people leave their mark on the world. For some, their world is small, for others it can be big and all encompassing. Without a doubt, Barbara’s world was all encompassing and certainly Barbara left her mark on everybody who met her. Some people teach by showing, some by telling, some by doing. Barbara did them all. For us she represented goals to achieve with everyone we know. She made us want to be more thoughtful, happy, caring, kind, courageous and full of life—like her naturally. She was also a great social aspiration—sharing stories (and smiles), entertaining, cooking and feeding friends and family.

One of Barbara’s great achievements was reaching her 90s and living life like she was considerably younger. What a model! She was a perfect example of a renaissance person—active, understanding, knowledgeable, proficient and successful in a variety of ways.

She also was an inspiration for us to come to our senses—appreciating good taste in food, fine dress and living spaces; sharing and hearing caring stories; gentle and giving in touch; and seeing things in a positive light.

We are missing you very much, Barbara. Where you are now--people are lucky to have you in their midst.

With love and admiration.
Thank you Pam, Patricia, Blair and so many family and friends for sharing good times with Barbara,
Carol and Michel

Barbara was and always will be an inspiration to me. She grabbed life by the horns and made it her bitch. She was always ready for an adventure, always game to take on new challenges, and loved her family with a fierceness that enabled them to become who they are. She was the youngest octogenarian that I have ever known, and she will live on the hearts of all who knew her. I always looked forward to seeing Barbara, because she would always make me feel like i made her day a little more special. What a gift! Thank you to Pam, Patricia, Guy, Russ, Blair and Max for sharing her with us.

Barbara was a very special lady. She was not just a patient in our practice, but a friend and a true partner in her health journey. We all miss her delicious cookies and treats she baked faithfully.
She told us she could drive when we questioned her safety at 91. Burke's driving assessment gave her an A++ She gracefully and kindly showed us confidently...she was a great driver, even at 91.
She is remember with love.

Barbara was radiant, charming, sassy, kind and gracious - a remarkable combination. She was beautiful inside and out. Patricia, thank you for introducing her to us. Meeting such an impressive woman was a gift and seeing the love she had for you was always a joy. She is sadly missed. 

Barbara was an adopted mother to us all….we’ve been without our own mothers for a long time. And, she was incredibly loyal to my parents….Mom was always “under the weather” and lost a lot of friends because of it (MS was the cause, which we didn’t know until the end). Barbara came over with lamb dinners or some other wonderful meal to share. Knowing Barbara was there allowed Dad to get away to visit his best friend in CT once in a while…Mom was often not up for their "old home" talks and Dad could go without guilt. Barbara would check in, take the dog for a walk and just visit with Mom. She was a GIFT to us all.
Barbara had more strength and spirit than just about anyone I know. She survived multiple cancers and would be out playing golf the minute she had the go-ahead from her doctors (and I daresay even before getting that "go-ahead"). Wishing her much love on the rest of her journey. You will be missed Barbara.
I nearly forgot to mention that both my parents (and I) thought Barbara was one of the most stunningly beautiful women they knew.

I first met Barbara around 1990 through out mutual friend, Dagne Crane.
When Barbara knew I was a golfer and about to retire, the first Monday after my retirement date, she took me to Dunwoodie for a round of golf. And, we played several thereafter as well as keeping touch through mutual friends including Barbara Mautner, Terry Manning, Barbar Zinke, and having dinner as group special occasions.

I loved her sense of humor and being able to laugh at herself.

I hadn't seend Barbara in several years and was saddened to read her obit in the Journal News.

My deepest sympthy to her family,

Dede Emerson

Patricia – like mother, like daughter, you must hear that a lot. I only know your mom through you and in reading the comments about her life, her relationships, and who she was, it seems the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. What a beautiful legacy she leaves behind in you, your sister, and Blair – a mother can’t ask for more than that. During this very difficult time, knowing you, you will hold onto all the wonderful memories you’ve had together and celebrate her beautiful life. Praying this will help you get through the days, weeks, and months ahead. With Sympathy, Deborah

Barbara was like a 2nd mother to me growing up in Bronxville. When Patricia moved to Bronxville we quickly became pals. Barbara was loving and kind but stern when necessary. If we wanted to swim in the pool we had to help clean it! Barbara was always there, listening and encouraging. Elm Rock, then Hillside were places of comfort and acceptance, even when we were total teenage knuckleheads. Her perfume is still recognizable to me today as such a calming beautiful scent. As an honorary member of the YoYo sisterhood, Barbara was ever present. Wherever our destination, the trip was made so much better by the presence of a few bags of incredible cookies! Barbara spoiled us all with her delicious confections! I will always remember Barbara as a strong, beautiful, woman who gave her all to others willingly and lovingly.

Barbara was my best friend for 33 years. Interestingly but in typical Barbara fashion many of you could say the same thing. The genius of Barbara was that she made all of us feel special.
We tennised,squashed,golfed,bridged,traveled, she cooked I ate...
I learned so much from her...my big ego vs her selflessness... her softness vs my bravado we met in the middle and were both better for it. She made everyone better by being in our lives.
We were lucky to have her for so long: 9 cancers, Afib and assorted athletic repairs(knees, shoulder,ankle) . Her love of life and appreciation of it's
beauty was awe inspiring. She loved people and doing things for others...Trips to Costco, airports, inviting single friends to holiday dinners, chauffeuring friends to therapy were just part of her daily routine.
Barbara was not judgemental just encouraging and she saw the best in all of us.. My daily treat was to make her laugh.
The good news is that her legacy will live on with Pam,Patricia and Blair who learned from the best.
Barbara, you will be forever missed but always in our hearts...

I met Barbara in the parking lot at Dunwoodie golf course during the summer of 1998 while we were putting our golf clubs into the trunk. We talked about golf and I told her about our Saturday morning ladies league, YAGAW, which she later joined and became a special family member.  She is remembered for her strong will, determination, baking skills, love of animals and overall care giving.  Having overcome so many health challenges, she became a role model for those having similar challenges. Her empathy for people, golf and animals was seen in everything she did.  As she is now off to the real 19th hole of golf, I wish her peace, contentment and many low scores.

GONE
My cellphone rang on the golf course this past Sunday morning.
The text read, “She’s gone.”
GONE?
My golf ball was gone when I hit it into the water on my next shot. I left the course, of course. I was gone for the rest of the day.
But Barbara wasn’t
GONE
She could not, and will not, be
GONE
On Monday, at cocktail hour, on the day of her (93rd) birthday, I toasted my dear friend a Happy Birthday, as I promised her I would, because she wasn’t
GONE
She’ll never be
GONE
She’ll be standing next to me when I wet a line in brook or pond, saying, “Use a wooly bugger. They’re good for anything.” She won’t be
GONE
She’d call me right before I leave for NY—or AZ—and say, “Now when are you leaving? I’ll take you to/pick you up from the airport. And what do you want me to buy for you so you’ll have food ready when you get home?” Or she’d have her chocolate macaroons tied up in a plastic bag for my trip. I’ll no longer get that call, but I’ll hear it anyway. Because she won’t be
GONE
“Lobsters are on sale at Stewie’s. Whose turn to cook? I’ll bring my white wine. You have your red ready. No bras! Shit, no!” And she’d arrive in pjs, because I told her she could wear anything she wants--come in your pjs if you want, I said. And she’d bring 2 lemon tarts. And, when she arrived, we’d hug, bra-less, and laugh like hell about “fitting,” because we were both right-breastless and fit like jigsaw puzzle pieces. I guess those were the only 2 things that were
GONE

Not much would please us more than relating our story of ROOM #4 in the Catskills for the Casting for Recovery weekend for breast cancer survivors. We had bonded there. We thought we should take our act on the road. But we laughed harder than those we told it to, so it didn’t matter that we never took it anywhere. We also learned to fly fish. This memory will never be
GONE
from anyone’s memory, if they were “lucky enough” to hear it. And that included everyone we knew.
Barbara’s athleticism diminished as she grew up (she never grew old), but her competitive spirit never lost its fervor. I recall vividly playing tennis with her at Fox Meadow. Ginny Naughton invited me as her guest. Maryiann Greenberg completed the foursome. I warmed up with Barbara on the opposite side of the net, and said to myself, “Wow! This woman has game!” She didn’t miss a shot! On the links, she was pretty damned good as well. Her distance and speed might have been
GONE
as time went by, but everything else was intact.
Whether driving a motor cycle, pushing the pedal to the metal in her car (How many speeding tickets, Barb??”), exploring new places when she was “up there” in age, Barbara never let her spirit of adventure, risk-taking, joie de vivre in general leave her. None of these was ever
GONE
As her friend, I always felt loved and appreciated, as I loved and appreciated her. We shared many secrets, both little and big. We bonded the first time we met, because during our conversation over cocktails, we discovered that we shared the same mother. Or at least our mothers were “sisters.” We knew then and there that we could say anything to each other and there would be an immediate and thorough understanding. We shared other stories and experiences we both had that will remain forever locked in our respective minds and hearts. And they will never be
GONE
But, friends aside, and she did love her friends dearly, her love for her family, Pam, Patricia, Guy, Russ, Blair, and Max could not ever, ever be surpassed. And Chica! OMG! They came first and foremost. She bragged. She complimented. She admired. She extolled their virtues. She loved them beyond belief. And they her. And to each of them, she will never, ever be
GONE
And neither will she be for me. We said good-bye, “again,” right before she “left.” And now that she left, she did just that: she left, but she’ll never be
GONE

Patricia - Thinking of you and your entire family. I had the honor of meeting your mom a few years ago outside the AARP offices and was instantly struck by her warmth and kindness. Sending you love and support during this difficult time.

Starting with my first introduction to Barbara, and every time I saw her thereafter, she made me smile. When I think of her now, lots of things come to mind: golf, dogs, apple crisp, great stories, terrific hostess, gracious guest. But if I were to try to sum her up in a few words, which of course can’t truly be done with a person like Barbara, I’d say ONE CLASSY LADY! There’s a news program on Sunday morning TV that concludes its weekly broadcast with a segment that sounds like it was named with her in mind. It’s called A LIFE WELL LIVED.

Lip - thinking of you so much. Barbara's reach was far and wide and optimistic and full of love and laughter. Sometimes absurdly funny. A memory of me eating almost the whole bag of red pepper slices she had in the console (for her snack) when I was riding in her car one time - late '70s or early '80s. So many "family" holidays, too.

Words could never be enough to capture the truth about who my Grammy was. Her power was in the way she made you feel, loved and recognized and cared for in a way few ever do. She never had the self-confidence that she so deserved to have given her incredible beauty, humor and kindness, and in her last days, when no less than seven nurses came to say hi to her in her hospital room, I kept asking her "do you see now how special you are?" She shrugged her shoulders and smiled but I know that deep down she felt the love and appreciation that even strangers had for her. The funny thing about it is that so much of my own self-esteem was built by her.

She pushed me to try new things and we went on incredible adventures together, dog sledding in Alaska, safaris in Tanzania, kayaking in Hawaii. All of those trips were special but it was on our Alaska trip that I hold the dearest memories, we sat on the deck of the ship and I asked her about her life. She told me of nights with Vin at El Morocco, golfing with friends in South Africa, hosting cocktails for Thai royalty in Bronxville, going to parties with her parents and hating the entire experience save for sitting in the corner with her beloved father Ted, cracking jokes about the phonies in the room.

She made me apple crisp for every birthday and big occasion, we ate lobsters in Maine, sometimes two at a time, taking an average of two hours longer than any other family member to savor every bite. We spent many meals staring at each other, listening to her songs and blowing kisses. The love between us was intense and palpable.

I'm grateful that a few years ago, when I spent a weekend with her attempting to teach me to drive so I could finally get my license (still hasn't happened but I promise I'll get it for you Gram...one day!), I asked her to tuck me in and sing me the lullaby she always sang, 'Make Believe' from Showboat. Unbeknownst to her I had hidden my phone under the blanket and recorded her singing to me. I will cherish that recording forever.

The way I miss Grammy is less of a thought and more of a feeling. A feeling of 'Barbara smoochies', her taking my hand and kissing my fingers over and over, the feeling of greeting her when she wore her mink coat and I ran to snuggle inside of it, the feeling I would have when she called me Love Bug or told me she "loved and adored me". I am honored to have shared twenty-eight years with her, to be a fellow redhead, to be the next generation in a line of incredible women that she raised who have raised me. I love her without end, and she will always be one of the great loves of my life.

I'll forever remember Barbara as the warm, welcoming, joyous mother of my friends Pamela and Patricia. So full of life and kindness over these decades. I miss you. Rest in peace Barbara.

I wrote this poem not long ago for Barbara as she loved sleeping outside on the screened-in porch. Somehow it applies right now...

“Sleep Calls The Little Girl”

A QUIET CHORUS OF BIRDS AND CRICKETS
ACCOMPANIED BY AN ORCHESTRA OF
LEAVES RUSTLING IN THE NIGHT BREEZE
CALL A LITTLE GIRL TO THE LAND OF DREAMS.

SHE FEELS THE GENTLE TICKLING
AS THE SOFTLY SWIRLING WIND
BEGS HER TO NESTLE BETWEEN
NATURE’S CUSHION AND COMFORTER.

THE YEARS PASS WHILE SOME THINGS
NEVER CHANGE IN DREAMLAND…
OFFERING AN OPEN INVITATION TO
A LITTLE GIRLS PLACE OF PERFECT PEACE.

When Patricia invited me for Christmas the first time, I had no idea that I was about to meet the most remarkable and loving woman, dear Barbara. That first year when I arrived, the house was in dissarray and the tree was lying on the living room carpet. She was upset with herself that the tree wasn't done, and so I said "I will do the tree." She was so appreciative and had no idea that growing up Jewish, I longed for Christmas trees. She was so happy to see my delight.

After that, we had a ritual of me driving down on Christmas eve afternoon and us spending tome together. It was a special time. We would talk about everything, and I would help her wrap the gifts (crazy in the late 1970's, and down to very little as we all aged). I will treasure these moments. There was one year when I didn't come and I got the most beautiful email and then phone call so we could have our time. That was Barbara, she thought of others in a most selfless and caring way. She was generous with herself, which is the best gift of all. I miss her so much already.

Barbara welcomed Dick and me to Bronxville, as a newly wed couple, with the most open of arms 34 years ago. She promoted our life together: many fabulous dinner gatherings at her lovely home to meet new friends; supported our membership to the Bronxville Field Club; initiated ongoing tennis, paddle and social gatherings at Fox Meadow; cared for our cats ... and designed some colorful excursions to the Big Apple for me, the gal from California. Having moved to Arizona 20 years ago, our returns to Bronxville always included memorable evenings with this most amazing lady.

Pamela and Patricia; you have been truly blessed with the best of mothers; she felt just the same about the two of you and your families, as well. 

Our memories of Barbara shall be treasured always.
Huge hugs!!
Pat & Dick

The last words my dear “Mother-In-Love” said to me were…
“Russell, thank you for coming to see me. I love you.” I will cherish that moment just as I will cherish the memory of that gleam in her eyes, that constant smile, those ever-flowing gifts (brownies, lemon-squares, cookies galore…you all know what I mean!) and so much more. My mother passed away in 2007 and Barbara filled that void in my life so beautifully. She thanked me for coming to see her at the end of her life and I will forever thank her for being such a huge part of my life for over 30 years and now forever and ever.

Oh the laughs we had over the years!! Going to Barbara's house for dinner and have 4 or 5 dogs having cocktails with us at the coffee table. (Some with special diets dictated by their owners I might add) Barbara always accommodating to all of their needs.

Playing in paddle tournaments with her in New Jersey, Connectcut wherever and exhausted driving home sometimes in the dark. I think we played something like 92 games in one tournament. What fun.

She and I and Delsa Wilson started the Children's Village Paddle Tournament with courts all over Westchester. I think that first year we raised $3000 for Children's Village and each year that amount grew and grew. We loved it and worked very hard to "make it happen".

A wonderful friend through dinners, parties, tournaments and a long time, great lady who I will miss tremendously.

Dear Pam and Patricia,

It was somehow such a shock to learn that your dear mother passed away yesterday. You both must be devastated. My mother and I had a good cry together, and Mom will miss her terribly. When I say shock you must think me naive, but somehow Barbara always bounced back. On June 29th we were discussing golf. I can’t imagine her not cuddling with Chica or making her famous chocolate macaroons. She always brightened my Bronxville visits and I will miss her good company. I hope memories of the good times you shared over the years will bring you comfort.

Sending you love from afar at this difficult time.

Nan

A bright light has gone out here on earth but the heavens have gained a bright shining star. Barbara was a kind, generous, elegant, free spirit with a quiet strength, and a zest for living. It has been a pleasure to know her and call her friend.  I will miss you always!

Where do i start? Over 50 years of friendship, love and acceptance...

Barbara was a living, loving inspiration to me. I met her when I was 12 when Patricia and I first became friends in the 5th grade. The rest is herstory. I am lucky to say that from the start I felt part of the Lippe family - from formal dinners at Elmrock where I didn't know which fork to use, to rowdy dinners at Pam and Guy's - I have been (am) always welcome. I grew up with the Lippes on Elmrock Road - it was a place to escape from my house and where I could relax and just have fun! Patricia and I bonded on a lot of levels... Sugar honey ice and tea. Napoleon and Ilya Kuryakin. Laughing at how Barbara and Jean talked to their dogs...

We roamed wild and Barbara was there in her tennis whites cheering us on. She took us to the US Open like it was no big deal.

"Are you hungry?" I have some tangerine sections...

Over the years, Patricia and Pam and then their spouses and kids became my extended family. I am proud to say that I'm Blair's Godmother, which is a true honor. Even when I resisted, Barbara was always there, ready to talk with open arms.

Once, in high school, Barbara made me get up very early in the morning to come over and see Perky (who became Patricia's dog) be born to her gorgeous poodle, Peaches. It was an amazing experience and I wouldn't have gotten up if it weren't for Barbara. She could be stern - but always for the right reasons. Good afternoon Mrs. Lippe!

For some reason I think of food when I think of Barbara: coleslaw, snails, brownies, ginger snaps and late night delicacies Patricia and I concocted in Barbara's kitchen when we were teenagers - like toast with butter, sugar and relish. It was always safe to be who we were in Barbara's house, even if we were crazy teenagers.

Unlike my own parents, Barbara was always there for me. When my mom died, Barbara was the first person I called. She was always a solid listener and dispensed advice wisely and carefully. When I had financial problems she talked me off the ledge and calmed me down by letting me know that she was there for me. Like a mother.

I mean, who rides a Vespa at 80? Barbara.
Who learns to fly fish in her 60s? Barbara.
Who allows sexual innuendo at a Thanksgiving dinner table? Barbara.
Who invites new friends to Thanksgiving who then become part of the bigger family? Barbara.
Who tells it straight? Barbara.
Who loves a good joke? (Even if you have to explain it to her.) Barbara.
Who loves dogs more than Barbara? Well, maybe me, but she loved them first and taught me how to raise my own two dogs.
Who will insist on picking you up at the train even though it's a 10 minute walk from the station? Barbara.
Who will drive people crazy insisting on only the freshest corn available? Barbara.
Who loves her family more than anyone I know? Barbara.

Barbara was game for anything and everything. A true rebellious spirit in a world of cut outs. Unfortunately, (but lucky for us) they don't make women like her very often. She showed me how to live and how to live in the light of love.

I will miss her every day till the end of my life. All I have to do is look around my apartment to see all the hand me downs that are now my cherished possessions.

I could go on...
Thank you Barbara for letting me be part of your grand family. Thank you for all the years of inspiration.
Until we meet again.

I only knew her in the doctor's office when she came in for her visits. But she had a wonderful smile, cheery disposition- even when she wasn't feeling well.  We chatted about recipes- the wonderful baked goods that she would always share with the office- and she gave me a few of those recipes which she actually typed out for me so I could try.  I remember her calling me- and I thought something was wrong- but she had forgotten which recipes I had asked her for- and she wanted to make sure!!  Will miss her smile, laugh, and the love she exuded whenever I saw her.  Prayers for her family as they mourn her passing. 

Barbara was a proud and independent woman whose beauty and grace shined from the inside out. On.our last visit together, I gave her a small gift and she replied ”but I've never given you anything ”
After a pregnant pause I looked at her and said ”,what do you mean....
you gave me my first love.”
We may have shed a tear

Aunt Barbara was an incredible person. Barbara's strength, resilience, adventurous spirit, honesty, openness, and love was unmatched. She is a woman who I admire greatly, and will continue to admire for the rest of my life. She was truly original, and I am so grateful to have known her. Barbara will be deeply missed. Love you Barbara, and love you very much Pam, Patricia, Guy, Russ, Blair, and Max.

Barbara and I were on the Fox Meadow tennis team......and so began our friendship. I remember being stunned that anyone would ride a motorcycle from Bronxville to Scarsdale. Such courage, such risk, such power.
She shared, She gave, she taught,...... and created smiles. Her kindness to my developmentally disabled brother was so appreciated.
Our friendship was a gift I will always appreciate.

I loved your mom, what a sense of humor, someday I’ll tell you a quick funny moment, she loved her girls, and she was beautiful and classy, and everything I can say about a mom! I lost my mom at 28, it was always comforting to be near her , ty��
Linda

Barbara was an indomitable spirit with a lust for life that was infectious. My family and I are blessed to have gotten to know her. Not surprisingly, we got to know her through a dog. We were in the market for a dog, but we traveled a lot as a family and knew we’d need a dog sitter. We didn’t know much about breeds but one of those on-line surveys said a terrier matched our family. I spoke with Barbara to see if she was still dog sitting and explained our situation and she asked what kind of dog we were getting. Before I could answer, she said “I hope you’re not getting a terrier. I hate terriers.” I quickly recovered with, “What breed would you recommend?” Barbara recommended a Havanese like her beloved Chica and both Barbara and Teddy (our adored Havanese) came into our lives. Teddy loved Barbara as much as we did. Whenever he escaped from the house, he ran right around the corner to sit at Barbara’s gate and even on a leash, he would pull and pull toward her house. Every time Barbara sat for Teddy she would send us on our travels with some yummy baked goods. I feel so fortunate to have gotten to know Barbara well enough to enjoy lunches at her house and invites to her birthday parties where I got to experience first hand the enormous love that she held for her family and her friends and they held for her. Barbara, you made the world a brighter and better place. You will be so missed but you will live on through the love and the example you showed all of us.

I will be forever grateful that I was able to meet Barbara and get to know her over the past three years. We shared a connection and I grew to love her deeply. I felt that we had some things in common... a love of adventure and of family. Her smile... and just the way she made me feel... her love and acceptance. She was so genuine in a world where that is rare. Her love of her family, her daughters and the man I have come to love deeply, her nephew Jon Crane. She had the ability to let you in and I will miss her so much. Rest easy Barbara, until we meet again.

A lot of people loved and admired Barbara, and one of the many attributes that Barbara had that had always impressed me, was that even into her 90’s she never looked or acted her age. Her spirit and demeanor was that of a much younger woman. I found that kind of resolve inspirational.
Knowing the children she raised and who loved her deeply, she must have been a hell of a mother. Each child in her own way is a personification of her spirit and love. She will be missed.

My Aunt Barbara was truly one-of-a-kind. As my Dad’s only sibling, she was cherished by him. I saw that while my Dad was alive, and thought, how wonderful their relationship always was. That love was our guide to knowing Barbara. Her thirst for living was boundless. No obstacle stood in her way. Ever. She turned recovery from breast cancer into a fly fishing career. She turned her intense love of dogs into a pet-sitting business that sustained her financially, but more importantly, emotionally. Her generous spirit knew no limits. Her very real commitment to family and friends, an astounding ability to love, and her no BS attitude made her relationships deep and lasting. It is incredible to think that I am of her blood, and that through all the people she loved and touched, she will live on with us. I love you Barbara.

Barbara Lippe will be missed forever. She was an inspiration to all of us who considered her a second mom. I'll never forget her kindness to me. I arrived in NYC in 1980 to chase my dreams. Patricia was and is a dear friend, as is Pam. Barbara included me in holidays, family dinners and late night chat sessions. Her elegance, charm, beauty, humor, easy going nature and generosity were impressive to me and effortless to her. She was a devoted daughter, mother, mother in law, grandmother, friend, athlete, beauty queen, chef, humorist, and role model. I loved spending Christmas at her charming home in Bronxville. I'll never forget her loving nature, her sweetness to my husband and children, her love for Blair and Max, Pam and Patricia, Guy and Russ. She had infinite capacity for love. Her spirit shines through her children and grandchildren. There is no one like the Lippe's, (Davis's Morriss's) they are all hugely important in my and my family's lives. During this quarantine while we've been holing up at home, once again with our adult kids around us, we have made Barbara Lippe's brownie's almost weekly but they never come out like hers did. I will miss those brownies. We will all miss Barbara and think of her each time we're in a cozy and welcoming room, eating a beautiful meal, petting our poodle and sharing a delicious glass of wine. Barbara showed so many of us how to live. Rest In Peace beautiful Barbara.

I know Barbara best through the eyes of Patricia, Pam and Blair. Their love for their mother (and grand) was limitless. Their generosity, caregiving, good humor, intelligence and inner beauty are honest reflections of this grand woman and how she carried herself through life. Intrepid, curious, funny and inclusive, Barbara seemed limitless in her ability to inspire others to be the best version of themselves. How she will be missed by all of us. How fortunate we are that she shared her values and love with our dear friends, Pam, Patricia, Guy, Russ, Blair and Max who will carry her light always. We send our love as we remember what a beacon she was for all of us.