Barbara Denerstein (nee Weinflash) died in her sleep in Torrington, CT on July 2 at the age of 76 after a series of ailments. She was by the side of her partner Michael Williams when she passed. Barbara and Mike had recently moved to Torrington after almost 20 years in Pine Plains, NY. Prior to her time in Pine Plains, Barbara spent 25 years in Cornwall, NY where she and her former husband Dan Denerstein, raised their two sons, Matthew and Evan.
The daughter of a NASA engineer and an educator, Barbara was born in Newport News, VA on July 27, 1946 where she lived the first 13 years of her life along with her older brother David before the family moved to Syosset, NY. After graduating from Syosset High School in 1964 she attended Cornell University where she earned a Bachelors of Science. Upon conclusion of her undergraduate studies, she traveled abroad, spending time as an au pair in Paris while also traveling to other parts of Europe, Israel and Japan. After returning home from her travels, she went on to earn a Masters of Education from New York University. She also met and married Dan Denerstein at this time. They had two sons, Matthew born in 1975 and Evan in 1979. The family left New York City and settled in Cornwall in 1978. Barbara worked as a teacher across all age groups in her educational career including time at the Unitarian Church of All Souls in Manhattan and the Canterbury Presbyterian church in Cornwall. She moved on to an administrative position in the child care department at West Point where she spent the rest of her career before retiring in 2007.
Barbara spent her time with Mike pursuing mutual interests such as ballroom dancing and Sunday afternoon motorcycle riding. Their home served as the gathering point for both of their families on Thanksgiving and other holidays. In her retirement, Barbara enjoyed the opportunity to spend ample time with her grandson Benjamin when his family visited Pine Plains or when she made the trip down to NYC.
Barbara is survived by her two sons, Matthew and Evan, grandson Benjamin, daughter-in-law Michele, her former husband Dan, Evan’s partner Courtney and Mike Williams, her partner of 25 years. She is predeceased by her parents, Bernard and Miriam and by her brother David. Barbara was a wonderful mother and grandmother with a passion and curiosity about life that lasted throughout her years. Whether it was near her home in Dutchess County or on the NYC subway, she never shied away from striking up conversations with strangers purely out of interest in meeting new people and learning more about them. She will be remembered with love by both her immediate family and Mike’s. She was a presence in the lives of his children – Kristy and Michael – and grandchildren – Chloe, Callie, Christopher, Cristian and Brooke – since they were babies.
A funeral service will be held on Sunday, July 9, 2023 at 12pm at 37 Park Avenue, Millerton,NY 12546. With early education being both a personal passion and a professional focus in her life, we ask that donations be made to the National Head Start program (https://nhsa.org/donate/) or the Children’s Aid Society http://(https://www.childrensaidnyc.org).
