Dorothy G. Barzin

Dorothy Gerbarg Barzin of Kingston, NY, passed away at the age of 100 on Thursday July 30, 2026. She was married to Dr. David S. Gerbarg for 38 years until his death in 1984. Subsequently, she was married for 34 years to Richard Barzin until he died three years ago. In addition, Dorothy is preceded in death by her parents Harry and Rose (Levy) Rose and her sister, Helen Weinert.

Dorothy was born on May 15, 1926, in Philadelphia, PA. After graduating from Olney High School, she won a coveted Mayor’s scholarship which enabled her to obtain a bachelor’s degree in education at the University of Pennsylvania. In 1924, the Alef Zadik Alef (AZA) fraternity was formed for Jewish youth who were banned from joining other fraternities. During WWII, AZA sponsored vital community charitable events that raised morale. In 1943, Dorothy was crowned “The Sweetheart of AZA,” a high honor recognizing her grace, leadership, warmth, and beauty.

Dorothy married David Gerbarg while he was in medical school at the University of Pennsylvania, starting their family while he served in the Army, the Navy and later the Reserves. They were drawn to the Hudson valley by its beautiful fall foliage, settled in Germantown, later moved into a Dutch Colonial farmhouse on Hurley Mountain Road, and eventually built a home and office in Kingston, NY.

Known for devotion to family, Dorothy’s hospitality, kindness, generosity, sense of humor, and culinary skills were appreciated by all. She enjoyed reading, gardening, swimming, art, music, cribbage and golf. Over the years, her leadership skills were recognized in her communities where she was elected Chair of the Germantown Farm Bureau, President of the local League of Women Voters, President of Kingston Planned Parenthood, and President of the Ulster County Mental Health Association. She served as President of the Sisterhood and on the Education Committee of Congregation (Temple) Emanuel. She also volunteered teaching English as a Second Language at Marco Island Library in Florida.

Dorothy and her husband, David, are survived by their four children, Darcy Gerbarg, Dr. Patricia Gerbarg, Dr. Zachary Gerbarg, and Aimee Ronn. They are also survived by seven grandchildren: Laura, Joshua, and David Braslow; David and Daniel Gerbarg; and David and Rebecca Ronn. In addition, they are survived by eight great-grandchildren: Brianne, Nova, and Marcello Braslow; Milo and Luca Braslow; and Dillon, Hannah, and Cameron Gerbarg. From her second husband, Richard Barzin, she is survived by her stepdaughter, Emily Barzin, step-grandchildren, Leon and Haley Kellerhouse, and step great-grandchild, Isaiah Urquidez.

Throughout her century of life, Dorothy embodied the AZA "Sweetheart" spirit—bringing joy, elegance, humor, and love to her family and everyone who knew her. Her legacy lives on through her family and the countless lives she touched.

Arrangements entrusted to Keyser Funeral & Cremation Service, 326 Albany Avenue, Kingston, NY 12401, where family and friends may visit starting at 10:00 am on Tuesday August 4, 2026. The funeral service will be held at 10:30 am with burial following at Montrepose Cemetery, Kingston, NY.

For those who wish, in lieu of flowers, please send gifts in memory of Dorothy Gerbarg Barzin to The Breath-Body-Mind Foundation, Inc. at www.breathbodymindfoundation.org, a non-profit 501(c)3 founded by her daughter, Dr. Patricia Gerbarg and son-in-law, Dr. Richard P. Brown, to provide stress and trauma relief for children and adults in the US and internationally during and after mass disasters, including the 2001 World Trade Center Attacks, COVID, natural disasters, and wars. Their current programs include training healthcare providers in Israel and Ukraine in psychological relief techniques for civilian and military populations.