Bayla Sheinberg Biskin

Bayla Biskin peacefully and gently passed away in the comfort of her home on Thursday, December 4. She lived life to its fullest for 95 years. Bayla’s love for family was a driving force—framed by her devotion to the love of her life, Harvey. Together, they pursued their common passions for music, food, community, and travel, often combining all three as they explored unknown worlds both near and far.

The adventuring began with the family’s annual summer drive from Texas to Chautauqua, NY. The multi-day trek, especially pre-Interstate highway, safety belts, and automobile air conditioning, was an epic journey, with carefully planned sightseeing junkets along the way, at such destinations as IQ Zoo, Gettysburg, Mammoth Caverns, Kellogg’s of Battle Creek, and the 1964 New York World’s Fair. At Chautauqua Harvey played in the symphony while Bayla managed the busy social calendar and the challenges of keeping the kids (mostly) out of trouble. Life in Chautauqua was foundational for life-long friendships and total immersion in the arts, education and recreation. Little did they know how their decision to be there each summer would positively impact each of their kids’ lives so deeply, as it did their own.

Bayla never wanted to miss out on a good time! To that end, she would jump into new experiences, whether it be zip-lining in Costa Rica, mastering new skills on her computer and iPhone, listening to a grandchild’s electronic music, being open to a 3-year old’s makeup application, attending an outdoor soccer game in the brisk northeastern weather, hiking on the Appalachian Trail, studying conversational Chinese…and the list goes on.

Bayla,’s energy and verve for life was unparalleled. The typical daily schedule for a casual New York visit would often consist of: a breakfast date, museum visit, lunch with a friend, shopping at Zabar’s, Chinatown dinner, topped off by a concert at Carnegie Hall. She had an unending curiosity about the world around her and could strike up a conversation with virtually anyone in an effort to learn new things.

In more “serious” pursuits, Bayla was the poster child for lifelong learning—always immersed in several challenging works for her many book groups and classes. In addition to her love for learning, she loved to teach as well. Bayla was a sought after piano teacher as well as music educator. She pushed her students out of their comfort zones, often to the point of tears, but her deep knowledge, passion, attention to detail, and people skills enriched hundreds of students’ lives.

Bayla and Harvey not only constructed their world filled with love of music and food and anchored by family and community, they also constructed their dream home at 615 Patterson in San Antonio. For posterity, the cocktail napkin that O’Neil Ford did the original sketch on was brought out and proudly shown off to admirers of early ‘70s contemporary architecture. The house was the centerpiece of many happy years, dinner parties, holidays, piano recitals, and other celebrations.

In her 50’s, with her kids well-launched, she rekindled her passion for piano performance, returning to her alma mater, The University of Texas at Austin, to earn a Masters in music, culminating in a solo recital. Meanwhile, she reinvented herself as a successful real estate agent, and with her uncanny people-skills, she brought many difficult sales to closing.

She embraced change and was not shy about venturing into uncharted waters. After making their life together for 63 years in San Antonio, and making deep, strong friendships there, she spearheaded their move to Athens, GA to be closer to Jill and her family. Without skipping a beat, Bayla quickly built a community—anchored by family, music, friends, learning, and food. Many in their new circle were decades younger, but her sparkling enthusiasm attracted a devoted network of friends.

Bayla’s beloved Harvey passed away in 2020, and she continued her life in the home they made together. The family is eternally grateful to the wonderful, compassionate women who helped her age gracefully in her home. Bayla's memory will live on in her children Jill Biskin (Tom Cerbu), Andy Biskin, and Roslyn Biskin (Rodney Crumrine), and grandchildren: Alois Cerbu, Amal Biskin, Eli Crumrine, and Zach Crumrine and by all who knew and loved her.

A graveside service will be held on Sunday, December 7, 2025, at 11:00 a.m., in the Congregation Children of Israel section at Oconee Hill Cemetery, located at 297 Cemetery St., Athens, Georgia 30605.

Bernstein Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.