Barbara Eisen

Barbara Eisen (née Zalkind), 91, of Ridgewood, NJ, passed away on December 12, 2024. She is survived by daughter Tovah and son Joe, cousins, brother-in-law and sisters-in-law, and numerous nieces and nephews. Barbara was predeceased by husband, Leonard.

Born in 1933 to Anna and Joseph Zalkind in Fall River, MA, she graduated from BMC Durfee High School and went on to study psychology at Vassar College, graduating in 1955 when she met Leonard, marrying a year later. The family eventually settled in Ridgewood, NJ, where Barbara lived until moving to Cedar Crest in Pompton Plains.

Barbara was a free-thinking, adventurous woman who embraced new experiences and maintained an open mind. She had a love for the color red—lipstick, cars, shoes, and clothes. Known for her spunk, good humor, and innumerable to-do lists, she tackled life with a positive attitude.

Her work life included serving as head counselor at the YMHA day camp in Hackensack, managing senior citizen day centers, and coordinating adult computer training classes at Bergen Community College.

A fan of Gary Null and Buckminster Fuller, Barbara was passionate about learning and personal growth. She worked with her sisters-in-law in the “Keep America Beautiful” campaign, bringing the iconic “Don’t Be a Litterbug” message to the public. She also studied and practiced meditation, encouraging others in her family to adopt the practice. Together with Leonard, she hosted large, joyful Passover seders for the extended family.

A funeral service will be held at the chapel at Cedar Park/Beth El Cemetery, 735 Forest Ave, Paramus, NJ, on Friday December 13 at 10:45 am, followed by burial. Mourners are welcome to join the family for shiva on Dec 14 from 7:00-9:00 pm, and Dec 15-18 10:00am-3:30pm at 150 Dorchester Rd, Scarsdale, NY.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made to the Jewish National Fund to plant trees in memory of Barbara, or to Temple Israel in Ridgewood, NJ.

Those attending should begin to meet at the cemetery's office at 10:15 AM.