Barbara Franzheim Dror

While Barbara lived vibrantly for over 7 years with a liver transplant, her death was the result of a fire in her home. Her bright spirit always overcame any discomfort she might have experienced. Her beloved dog Bella survived the fire having been bravely rescued by neighbors.

Barbara was born to Helen and Peter Kowalczyk in Harrison, New Jersey in 1939. She began her education at NYU and completed her Masters of Arts studies in early English literature and French poetry at Seton Hall University. She founded a company called Historic Home Restoration specializing in restoring and reconstructing major historic residences in Manhattan, Southampton, Palm Beach, Lexington, and Houston. Ever the Renaissance woman, her love of horses led her to acquire Bellefleur Farm in Kentucky where she bred Simmental cattle. Barbara found time to work with many charities especially brain tumor research, organ donation, and opera & arts foundations in New York, Houston & Kentucky. She had been on the board of the Houston Grand Opera, The Thoroughbred Club of American, the Houston Ballet and the Houston Symphony. She devoted her most recent effort to helping raise funds for the nursing school at St. Thomas University in Houston. Barbara was a fashion icon in New York, often cited as best dressed. Her clothes and personal style were her trademarks and her home showcased her good taste and natural affinity for incredible design elements. She is listed in "Who's Who in American Women" and several university publications.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her youngest daughter, Melita Franzheim. She is survived by her 3 children: Pamela Franzheim Forrestal, Sabrina Franzheim Fleming and Daniel Dror, II; her grandchildren: Sass Allen, Whitney Tower III, Pandora Forrestal, Jared Forrestal, Phoenix Melita Fleming and Atticus Mungo Fleming; one sister, Doris Tansey Lausten; and niece, Donnamarie Saultz; and nephew, Joseph Tansey.

A patron of the arts to end, she was a woman truly devoted to studying, appreciating and recognizing beauty and passion in the world. Her amazing intelligence and ebullient story telling made tales of her life a delight to all who knew and loved her. "While alive, she lived".

Friends are cordially invited to gather at Sabrina’s home and share remembrances of Barbara on Monday, the 20th of December, and Tuesday, the 21st of December, from four o’clock in the afternoon until seven o’clock in the evening.

A celebration of Barbara's life is to be conducted in Houston on her upcoming birthday, the 7th of February 2011.

Friends and family may call upon Geo. H. Lewis & Sons to obtain specific details regarding the gathering at Sabrina's home and the February service.