Barbara Harriet Bornstein

Barbara Harriet Surks Bornstein, age 87, of Williamsburg, Virginia passed away on July 3, 2025. She was born in Laurelton Queens, New York on February 15, 1938, and was preceded in death by her husband, Larry Bornstein; parents, William and Jean Surks; son, Elliot Bornstein; and (since moving to Virginia) beloved dogs, Maggie, Max, and Wednesday.

She was a graduate of Far Rockaway High School and Queens College. Barbara worked as a medical assistant for the Surgical Associates of Hollywood for many years. She was a member of the Temple of Israel of Miramar as well as Bnai Aviv in Weston, Florida.

She enjoyed playing golf in her earlier years, playing the piano, and swimming – especially swimming exercises at the YMCAs of both Weston and Williamsburg. She often walked her dogs around the neighborhood, visiting with other dog-walkers and neighbors. Barbara loved birdwatching and her hummingbirds. In Weston, she was always excited to see the Yellow-crowned night herons that would return each year to nest in her tree. She was an avid reader on her tablet and had many library subscriptions. She was also a lover of the arts. She loved her subscription to the Broward Theater of the Performing Arts – for decades, enjoying theater with her girlfriends, mother, and mother-in-law. She also loved attending the Virginia Peninsula Jewish Film Festival in Williamsburg and the foreign film festival in South Florida. Barbara was an organizer and activist, dependable and busy with social justice causes. She marched with March for Our Lives on Washington to help put a stop to gun violence. She helped Get-Out-The-Vote efforts with the League of Women Voters, writing postcards and going door-to-door canvasing, even during COVID (on mailboxes).

Her children were her joy, as a mother of four and “Mommy Nana” to many more. She raised many and was always very involved with the schools, attending every performance (band concerts, theater, choir, poetry slams, girl scouts, camp talent shows, running club, fundraisers, color guard, and more). She was a beautiful soul and a dear friend. She was playful, loving, determined, brave, authentic, whimsical, witty, radiant, and kind – the list goes on. She took everything in stride and never failed to show up for her family and friends.

Barbara is survived by her big brother, Martin Surks (June Arias), daughters, Ruth Sternberg and Jill Bornstein Hyman (Adam); son, Brandon Christodoulos (Harrietta); grandchildren, Shane Bornstein, Ashley Bornstein, Gus Bornstein, Madison Hyman, Sophie Hyman, Tzipora Hyman, Yona Hyman, Yishai Hyman, Elias Christodoulos, Zephaniah Christodoulos, Panagiotis Christodoulos, and Zoe Christodoulos, and many great-grandchildren, her newest great-granddaughter being little Shoshana; and beloved dogs, Buddy, Tilly, Nova, Martha, and Booker.

A graveside service was held at Mount Hebron Cemetery in Flushing Queens, New York followed by Shiva. She passed away in her home surrounded by loved ones. Barbara lived for those she loved and will forever live on in our hearts and treasured memories. We are so grateful and so blessed for the time we shared.

We love you, Nana. You were truly one-of-a-kind.

The family asks anyone wishing to make a donation in Barbara's memory, to please consider the ASPCA, any botanical garden, or their favorite Jewish organization.