Barbara Lynn Bangerter

Written by Elizabeth Maisel: Barbara had a proper orthodox funeral because her son David wanted it that way. The Rabbi in P.E. who was Barbara's Godson arranged for Rabbi Rodol of the Chabad Shul in Norwood to conduct the service which he did very well and made a beautiful eulogy written by Rabbi Bloch of P.E. He mentioned how intelligent she was and that one could have a discussion with her about anything and that she always had an opinion. He remembered sitting at the children's table enjoying Pesach and Rosh Hashanah in her home many years ago. He spoke about how she hated the injustices of the Government and made her feeling felt. One of her friends told me that she asked a blond lady standing next to her if she was a friend of Barbara and she said that the ANC had sent her as a representative. Elsa's char had heard on one of the T.V. news channels that she had passed away aged 79 and that she had fought against the injustices of the then Government.
At prayers the Rabbi spoke about what a mensch she was and said that even if one is not religious being a mensch was so important. She never stuck a knife in anyone's back and would never intentionally hurt anyone's feelings.
Julius has paid someone in Johannesburg to say Kadish for her for the year as he only goes to shul on a Friday night at the Gardens where we are members and he goes to the Claremont Shul on a Monday night to help make up a minyon. Saul arranged this and said that he thought the money would be given to Sandringham Gardens which is a Jewish retirement home. Saul is saying Kadish for his father so cannot say it for Barbara. David and Jack Cooper were at the funeral and were Pall Bearers. There were about 100 people at the funeral and about 50 at prayers. I think that the ANC got to hear of her death through a lovely Indian lady who told me that she and Barbara had been friends since the 1950's when they were at university together.
It is unbelievable that she just faded away in such a short time. I shall miss our telephonic conversations.
The book I am just finishing she recommended to me the last time we spoke when she was still "Well". Her friend told me that every week she would take out at least 3 books from the library. She was an avid reader and a lover of classical music and opera and attended as many concerts as she could.