On Friday morning, March 14, surrounded by her loving family, our dear friend and fellow Tilden Club member Barbara Garodnick passed away. We are saddened by this loss and wish to express our deepest condolences to Barbara’s family and her large circle of friends, which includes the members of Tilden, her neighbors, her students and the many people she touched with her artistic skills, intelligence, grace, charm and dignity.
Barbara and her loving husband David joined Tilden many years ago, and encouraged other community activists to join, including Pat Levenson and Laura Koestler. Barbara’s presence was felt through her participation as Donations Committee Chairperson, Vice President and Chairperson; her personal skills guided us through difficult times and made the Club stronger. During the good times she gracefully encouraged us, helped us grow, and kept us moving joyfully in the right direction. Barbara was proud of her son, Dan, our former Club President and City Council member.
The members of the Samuel J. Tilden Democratic Club express our deepest condolences to Barbara’s family and friends, and will observe a moment of silence to honor her memory at our monthly meeting on March 24.
In honor of Barbara’s memory, her family established an endowment at Brooklyn College to be given annually to an independent-minded junior or senior specializing in visual arts to purchase supplies. In lieu of flowers, please contribute to the Barbara Riotto Garodnick ’61 Memorial Award Fund (c/o Brooklyn College Foundation; 2900 Bedford Avenue; Brooklyn, NY 11210). The family is planning a celebration of Barbara’s life to be held at a future date.