Barbara Kornblau

Barbara Kornblau (nee Wolas) Ed.D, passed away on August 30, 2023. Born in NYC in 1936 to Irving and Mary Wolas, she moved to California in 1947. She was a loving wife, mother, mother-in-law, grandmother and great-grandmother. She is survived by her husband of 68 years, Donald Kornblau, her three children: Steve, Jerry and Laurie, their spouses: Abbey Berenson, Craig Sannum and Sheryl Renninger, her granddaughter Ilyse (and her husband Jay Gordon), her grandson Jake and her great-granddaughter Lila as well as her brother, Herbert Wolas and his family. Education was of high importance to Barbara, and she graduated from L.A High at age 16, and UCLA by age 20. Professionally, she was initially a schoolteacher, then later earned a Master’s in Education from SFVSC (now CSUN), followed by an Ed.D in Special Education from UCLA. She built a career teaching those needing special education, initially at Heschel day school, and in private practice, before serving for many years as the Assistant Headmaster at the Oakwood school. Her creative outlets included guitar, tennis and needlepoint earlier in life and word games (scrabble, crossword puzzles), Mah-Jong and bridge in her later years. Always a voracious reader, she was knowledgeable on many subjects. She was a sought out and trusted advisor, mentor and therapist to many students, parents, friends, work colleagues and family. Donations in her memory can be made to the Michael J Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research (www.michaeljfox.org) or to the Educare Foundation (www.educarefoundation.com)