Barbara Hoppenfeld

Born May 6, 1948 in New York City to Lester and Sylvia (Drexler) Fox, Barbara attended PS109, PS135, and Martin Van Buren High School while growing up in Queens Village, NY. She then went to college at the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT). As a copywriter, Barbara wrote copy for advertisements in NYC for Gertz, Lane Bryant, and Macy’s. Barbara was set up on a blind date with Jeffrey Hoppenfeld in 1972, and two weeks later, she was engaged to be married. Shortly after getting married in 1973, they moved to Miami, where Barbara continued her career as copy chief at Richard's Department Store. After Barbara gave birth to her son Jared in 1977, she took some time away from work, eventually becoming a preschool teacher at Temple Israel, where Jared also went to preschool. After moving to their present home of 36 years in Weston, FL, Barbara took a job at Temple Kol Ami as a preschool teacher and eventually went back to copywriting.

It brought Barbara much naches when Jared’s children, Emily and Ethan, were born. Barbara then welcomed daughter-in-law Jennifer Wilhelm to the family along with her third grandchild, Gwendolyn. Her family was what mattered most, and she spoke about her grandkids often to anyone who would listen. Sundays were special days reserved for video calls with the kiddos.

One cannot speak about Barbara’s family without mentioning the dogs who she loved like her own children. She has left Micah behind, but joins her pets who have gone over the rainbow bridge, including parakeet Bagel, and dogs Tippy, Candy, Shayna, and Samson.

In addition to family, Barbara loved listening to music, dancing, and playing games with friends and family. When she wasn’t shopping at a mall or online, she would keep up with the ongoings of her favorite soap operas. Barbara had fond memories of her childhood summers at Castle Hill Pool in the Bronx as well as time spent at her cousins’ bungalow colony in the Catskill Mountains. Barbara loved visiting the beaches of Naples with Jeff, and during Jared’s childhood and into his teens, they would take numerous trips to Disney World. Something for which she will no doubt be remembered is her passion for and ability to host family and friends for holidays and other get-togethers.

Barbara is survived by her husband, Jeffrey; her son Jared and daughter-in-law Jennifer; grandchildren Emily, Ethan, and Gwendolyn; and brother Bill (Joyce) Fox. Barbara is also remembered by her many cousins, nephews, and nieces in Florida, New York, Arizona, and beyond. Barbara was predeceased by her parents, Lester and Sylvia (Drexler) Fox.