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Barbara Zollman (Demlow) - Class Of 1965

Barbara Zollman (Demlow)

Barbara Demlow Obituary

Beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, great-aunt, friend, teacher, tutor, mentor.

 

Barbara Demlow, of Huntington Woods, MI, passed away peacefully on September 15, 2023. She leaves behind a legacy of education, artistic expression, and community engagement that touched the lives of countless individuals throughout her remarkable life journey.

 

Born on January 30, 1947, to Chester and Sylvia Zollman, Barbara grew up in Detroit with her best friend and sister, Sandra. Barbara graduated from Mumford High School in 1965 then pursued her passion for literature, earning her bachelor’s degree in English from Michigan State University in 1969.

 

Barbara student-taught at Ferndale High School under the mentorship of her lifelong friend, Frank Joranko. She continued her career at Ferndale High School, dedicating 33 years of her life as an inspiring teacher of Speech, English Literature, and Literature of the Holocaust. Barbara was approached by Holocaust scholar Sister Carol Rittner, who at the time was teaching at Mercy College in Detroit and working with Elie Wiesel, about pioneering a class at the high school level. This semester-long in-depth look at the Holocaust through literature became a favorite course and left a lasting impact on many students over the years. Barbara was repeatedly recognized as a leading Holocaust educator in the state and participated in programs at Wayne State University, Northwestern University, the Holocaust Memorial Center, and the Capitol in Lansing.

 

After she retired, Barbara continued to work in education as a tutor, both privately and for Oakland Community College. She often worked with English language learners and forged a close bond with many of them. Barbara also continued to dance, teaching at Dynamic Dance Studio in North Branch as well as taking classes including clogging with a local instructor. She also cultivated her love of literature as a member and facilitator of book clubs.

 

Barbara’s true gift was her kindness and caring. She loved her family and friends and would drop everything to be there whenever she was needed. She always went above and beyond to connect with her people in ways that made them feel seen and special. Whether it was purchasing a required book or providing extra after-school and lunchtime guidance for her students, creating special experiences for her grandsons, or simply listening with a kind of attention that creates a lasting feeling of warmth, Barbara was truly a light that everyone was drawn to. She will be dearly missed by the countless people she touched.

 

Barbara is the beloved wife of 54 years of Martin Demlow. Caring mother to Julie Kroeyr (Jason) and James Demlow. Adoring grandmother of Owen and Elliot Kroeyr. Dear sister of Sandra Stabnick. Her legacy as an educator, dancer, and caring soul will continue to shine brightly in the lives of those she touched.

 

A memorial gathering to celebrate Barbara’s life will take place on Saturday, October 21, 2-5pm at A.J. Desmond & Sons Funeral Directors (Vasu, Rodgers, and Connell Chapel), 32515 Woodward Ave., Royal Oak 48073.

 

In lieu of flowers, memorial tributes may be made to the Barbara Demlow Language Arts Department Memorial Fund at Ferndale High School.