Skip to content
  • 640 Farmington Avenue, Hartford, CT 06105
  • 860.233.2675
  • 860-233-2680
  • Email Us
  • History
  • Our Family
  • Services
  • Pre-Planning
  • Funerals
  • Obituaries
  • Cemeteries
  • Selected Memorials
  • Contact
Menu
  • History
  • Our Family
  • Services
  • Pre-Planning
  • Funerals
  • Obituaries
  • Cemeteries
  • Selected Memorials
  • Contact

Barbara

(Umanoff)

Birnbaum

Obituary

Barbara Birnbaum (née Umanoff), 74, of West Hartford, died on March 5, 2011, after a 17-year battle with Facioscapulohumeral Muscular Dystrophy (FSHD). Throughout the years since the diagnosis, Barbara displayed great courage and tenacity, embracing her family and friends and serving as a role model to many. Born in Brooklyn, New York on September 17, 1936, the daughter of the late Harold and Florence Umanoff, Barbara was raised in Rockville Centre, New York. She moved to West Hartford with her family in 1970. She attended the University of Michigan and graduated from Hofstra University. Barbara loved to travel and enjoyed a career as a travel agent. She served on boards for the Wadsworth Atheneum Auxiliary and the University of Hartford Art School’s House and Garden Tour, and was co-chair of the Beth El Temple Art Show. Barbara is survived by her beloved husband of 51 years, Robert J. Birnbaum, of West Hartford, her daughters, Margot Birnbaum of Boston, Carol Birnbaum and son-in-law Adam Manacher of Cambridge, Paula Birnbaum and son-in-law Neil Solomon of San Francisco, brother and sister-in-law David and Shelly Umanoff, grandchildren Daniel, Jonathan, Jordan and Mariel. Funeral services will be held on Sunday, March 6 at 10:30am in the Chapel of the Weinstein Mortuary, 640 Farmington Ave., Hartford with Rabbi James Rosen officiating. Interment will follow at the Beth El Temple Cemetery, Jackson St., Avon. A memorial period will be observed after the burial in the Hill Club at the home of Robert J. Birnbaum, 25 Cassandra Blvd., West Hartford. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the FSH Society, BBRI R353, 64 Grove Street, Watertown, MA 02472 or http://www.fshsociety.org. For further information, directions, or to sign the guest book for Barbara, please visit online at www.weinsteinmortuary.com/funerals.cfm

Guest Book For

Barbara Birnbaum

(Umanoff)

Sign The Guest Book

Oops! We could not locate your form.

Loading...

From: BOB & JUDY COHN

From LAKE WORTH, FL

Posted On: March 5, 2011

Dear Bob, Margot,Carol, Paula and family,
Barbara had become an important part of our lives in Connecticut during the past year and we are so saddened by her passing. When speaking with her just last week I told her how much all of us had admired her stamina in spite of her incapacities. She was always so well "put together" in her dress, her make-up and her spirit. She was willing to schlepp anywhere as long as she had some assistance and persevered for as long as she could. We hope that memories of healthier days and good times will help all of you through such a difficult time. We will certainly miss spending time with her! Our hearts, thoughts, hugs and love are with you!
Judy and Bob Cohn

From: Sd Kane & Bea Alderman

From Boynton Beach, FL

Posted On: March 5, 2011

Please accept our heartfelt sympathy to you and your family.

Ed & Bea

From: Ellen and Joel Mandell

From Fort Mill, SC

Posted On: March 5, 2011

Bob,

Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time. Barbara was a beautiful and courageous lady.

Joel & Ellen Mandell

From: elsa and peter gassner

From sedona, az

Posted On: March 7, 2011

Dear Bob,
We were so saddened to hear of Barbara's passing. You and your family are in our thoughts and we wish to extend our sincere sympathy.
fondly,
elsa and peter gassner

From: Bonnie Drewry

From Canterbury, CT

Posted On: March 7, 2011

Bob, Margo, Carol and Paula...I'm so sad to hear of Barbara's passing. Barbara was always a beautifully positive person. Bob...a fond memory I have of Barbara was her teaching me how to dance the Hora to "Hava Nagila" at Terry B. Perelli's wedding in Portland; (Terry was our bookkeeper at the time, back in the day!)
My thoughts are with all of you.
Bonnie Drewry

From: Lydia and Alan Klatsky

From west hartford, ct

Posted On: March 7, 2011

Dear Bob,
We were in Virginia on our way to Florida when Judy G told me of the terribly said choice that you and Barbara had to face. Just from the brief time we have known each other, we were sure that Barbara was one of the most beautiful, courageous women we have ever met and these last few weeks proved it with certainty. I wish we had bbn home to offer support and soup for you or anything else I could have done and I promise when we return, you will see plenty of us! This must be a brutal time for you .but hopefully, peace will come with the love and comfort of others who loved Barbara and you, as well as the joyous memories that have been hidden during these times of pain and terrifying frustration, and now will have the chance to give you comfort.

With much affection,
Lydia and Alan Klatsky

From: Jerry Perloff & Carrie Bernabe

From West Hartford, CT

Posted On: March 8, 2011

Dear Bob,
Please accept our sincerest condolence for the passing of Barbara. We really admired Barbara for her courage and she was a beautiful lady. If there is anything we can do to help you, please do not hesitate.
Carrie and Jerry

From: Katherine Quigley

From West Hartford, CT

Posted On: March 9, 2011

My sincere sympathy to you Bob. I am sorry that I didnot have time to get to know Barbara better. Katherine

From: George Louie

From Oakland, CA

Posted On: March 14, 2011

To Neil, Paula and family, Our prayers and thoughts are with you and your family at this time. May peace and comfort come to you with passage of time. From your Health Net friends and family.

From: Dennis & Joan Rusconi

From west hartford, ct

Posted On: March 6, 2011

Dear Bob:

Joan and I are so sorry for your loss. With deepest sympathy.

Joan and Dennis

From: Toby and Mike Schwefel

From Boca Raton, FL

Posted On: March 6, 2011

Dear Bob and family,

We were so saddened to hear of Barbara's passing. We have long admired her courage and strength in the face of adversity. She was beautiful both inside and out. Please accept our most sincere condolences.

Toby and Mike Schwefel

Contact Us

  • 860.233.2675
  • 860-233-2680
  • Email Us
  • 640 Farmington Avenue
    Hartford, CT 06105

Recent Funerals & Obituaries

Loading...
William
Newman
Funeral & Obituary
Anne P.
Steinman
Funeral & Obituary
Elisabeth
Levine
Funeral & Obituary
Patricia
Berke
Funeral & Obituary
Barbara
(Grosshans)
Louis
Funeral & Obituary
View Funerals
View Obituaries

Resources

  • Home
  • Links
  • Community Involvement
  • Social Services
  • Veterans
  • Yahrzeit Calendar
  • Prayers & Meditations
  • Mailing List
  • Map & Directions
Menu
  • Home
  • Links
  • Community Involvement
  • Social Services
  • Veterans
  • Yahrzeit Calendar
  • Prayers & Meditations
  • Mailing List
  • Map & Directions
© 2023 Weinstein Mortuary, Inc.