Barbara Arlene Tobor Margolis

Barbara Tobor Margolis passed away on Sunday, November 22, 2015 and was laid to rest on Wednesday, November 25, 2015 at the top of Green Mountain Cemetery in Boulder, Colorado. She was 76. In 1939, she was born at Mount Sinai Hospital in Chicago to Ruth (nee Gordon) and Saul Tobor, who both preceded her in death. She grew up with her younger sister, Joyce, and many relatives in the Chicagoland area. Barbara graduated Hyde Park High School in Chicago at age 15, and earned a B.S. in Psychology from the University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana in 1960. While at University, Barbara met her husband, Donald William Margolis. They married at the Drake Hotel in Chicago on June 19, 1960. After residing briefly in Champaign, Chicago, Adelphi, MD., and Wappingers Falls/Poughkeepsie, NY, Barbara and Donald moved to Boulder in 1966. They recently celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary. Beginning in the early 1970's, Barbara provided administrative support for the YMCA in Boulder. In 1979, Barbara began working for the University of Colorado (CU) in the Student Counseling Center, eventually becoming the Director of New Student Orientation. Under Barbara's leadership, and in partnership with her beloved colleagues, the program at the University effectively, efficiently, and lovingly guided thousands of students through the administrative maze and adjustment to the first weeks and months of college, helping to calm tens of thousands of parents as well. Barbara worked closely with student peer counselors, and many of them regarded her as their "CU Mom." Barbara was an active leader in the National Orientation Directors Association (NODA) for several years, and chaired the NODA Conference in Denver in 1997. She retired in 1999 after 20 years of serving the CU students and their parents, having built a lasting legacy in the student orientation programs that lasts to this day. Barbara established many life-long friendships in her time at the university. Barbara was a Life member of Hadassah, the women's Zionist Organization, and a founding member of the Boulder chapter. However, she will best be remembered for her legacy at Congregation Har HaShem in Boulder. As a founding member, along with her husband, Don, Barbara literally helped build the synagogue: from the day of groundbreaking, to laying bricks in the original building, and as the congregation grew, the cornerstone of the latest addition. Barbara tirelessly and enthusiastically worked on many committees, fundraising, and community events over the five decades of her affiliation with the synagogue, and provided guidance and continuity across six Rabbis. She was particularly proud of establishing the gift shop, which now bears her name. She established and chaired the sisterhood at the synagogue in 1967, and in 1998 she re-invigorated and chaired the Women of Har HaShem, an inclusive, community-minded organization. Most recently, she served as a member of the rabbinic search and installation committees, which brought Rabbi Fred Greene to the congregation in 2015. Barbara is survived by her husband, Donald, of Boulder; her three sons: Scott (Michele nee Volland) of Coppell, TX, Jeffrey (Deborah nee Hult) of Newport Beach, CA and Gary of Boulder; grandchildren Michael, Alexandria, Allegra, Seth, and Abrianna Margolis. She is also survived by her sister, Joyce Tobor Hamel (Steve), of Highland Park, IL, her niece Jessica Alexander of Ypsilanti, MI, and nephew Peter (Janice) Alexander of Los Angeles. She has many other beloved living relatives who are members of the Tobor Family Club. Barbara was interred wearing a pendant bearing the phrase that she so often spoke, "I LOVE YOU MORE!" The family requests that any memorial donations be made to either Congregation Har HaShem, 3950 Baseline Road, Boulder, CO 80303, or to the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America. http://online.ccfa.org/goto/InMemoryofBarbaraMargolis