Barbara Bride Probeyahn

Barbara Bride Probeyahn, age 89, passed away peacefully on Sunday, February 1, holding the hand of her beloved Johnny – her husband of over 68 years. A woman of grace and strength whose smile brightened every room, Barbara lived a full and vibrant life devoted to her family, her faith and the many people fortunate enough to know her.

Barbara was born on March 10, 1936, in Queens, New York, to Thomas and Alice Brassil. She grew up in Astoria and graduated from Bishop McDonald High School. Shortly after graduation, she attended the wedding of a neighbor who lived in the apartment below her family’s home, and it was there that she first met the love of her life. A cousin of the neighbor whom she had never met before asked her to dance, and that dance lasted a lifetime.

Although Barbara was accepted to college after high school, she was encouraged to attend secretarial school instead. Still, her desire for higher education never faded. After lovingly raising her four daughters, she returned to school and fulfilled that lifelong dream, earning a Bachelor of Science degree from SUNY Old Westbury and a Master’s degree from Hofstra University. In doing so, she modeled perseverance, determination, and the importance of lifelong learning for her children – all of whom have advanced degrees.

When her daughters were grown, Barbara returned to the workforce in New York City, building a successful career in financial services with firms including Bernstein-Macaulay and Shearson Lehman. She was working for Lehman Brothers in the World Trade Center during the 1993 bombing. Relying on her quick thinking and street smarts, Barbara instinctively knew that heading upward was not the safest option despite security officers urging them to go to the roof. Instead, she calmly led a coworker and others down 101 flights of stairs to safety, offering reassurance and guidance along the way. After leaving Wall Street, Barbara joined Hofstra University’s enrollment management team, where she worked until her retirement in 2008.

Barbara was kind, loving, understanding, forgiving, compassionate, gracious, and vibrant. An eternal optimist, she saw the best in everyone. Her infectious smile and sunny disposition brought warmth and joy wherever she went, and she carried herself with elegance, energy, and genuine kindness. She delighted in good conversation, a shared laugh, and a glass of wine, and she never missed an opportunity to enjoy life to the fullest. Her generosity of spirit and devotion to her family defined her life.

Above all, Barbara was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She was the heart of her family hosting every holiday, celebrating every milestone, and creating a home filled with love, laughter, and tradition. She was unabashedly proud of her family and delighted in cheering on each and every accomplishment.

Barbara is survived by her husband of over 68 years John (Probeyahn) and their four children; Carol, Susan (Sansone) and her husband Joseph, Laura (Koenig) and her partner Fred (Loutfi), and Janet (Lenaghan) and her husband Rob. In addition, she is survived by her grandchildren: Nicholas Sansone and his wife Celestine, Danielle Cirisano and her husband, Anthony, Emily Mosely and her husband Cary, John Sansone and his wife Ally, Thomas Sansone, Delaney Lenaghan, Olivia Koenig and Brian Lenaghan, and her great grandchildren Sophia and Anthony Cirisano. Barbara was predeceased by a son, John Michael, and a son-in-law, James Koenig. She is also survived by her brother Thomas (Brassil) and his wife Christine and her sister Carol (McGowan).

Barbara’s family will receive family and friends during visitation at White’s Funeral Home, on Monday, February 9 from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM. A Funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 AM on Tuesday, February 10 at St. Kilian’s Roman Catholic Church. Burial will follow in St. Charles Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made in Barbara’s name to the Frank G. Zarb School of Business Scholarship Fund at Hofstra University.