Dr. Barbara Shore
October 23, 2013

SHORE, DR. BARBARA K.: Died peacefully in her sleep on October 23, 2013 in Tucson, Arizona. Barbara was adored by her four children, eleven grandchildren and five great -grandchildren and countless others who were touched by her kindness, wisdom, courage and willingness to help that she exhibited throughout her long life. Barbara was born in 1920 to Benjamin and Cecelia Kramer. She was raised in Squirrel Hill with three siblings Lloyd, Vida (Demas) and Joan (Shames). She showed her intellect at an early age garnering awards in public school and went on to earn a BS degree in Social Work at Carnegie Tech (now CMU) graduating Summa Cum Laude in 1942 and an MS degree in Social Work from the University of Pittsburgh in 1943. She married the love of her life, Jack Shore, on Christmas Day 1942. They left Pittsburgh for Jack to pursue graduate work in Chemistry at The University of Chicago where Barbara worked for the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society helping to re-settle young holocaust survivors. After moving to Rochester and Buffalo NY, during which time their first two daughters, Erika (Ricki) Ruth and Deborah (Debby) Ann, were born, they came back home to Pittsburgh in 1950 where they had two more children, David Lee and Benita (Bonnie) May and settled in Stanton Heights. Putting aside her earlier political activism for the time being, Barbara was a stay at home mother during the 1950's and early 60's but stayed active assuming leadership roles in Hadassah, Sunnyside PTA, Stanton Heights Recreation Program, Irene Kaufman Center, where she also played violin in the orchestra, and worked weekends at Traveler's Aid Society. Eventually, Barbara returned to Pitt and earned her Ph.D. in Social Work and an MS in the School of Public Health in 1972. Upon graduation, she joined the faculty at the School of Social Work where she remained until her retirement, when she was named Professor Emeritus. During her long tenure at Pitt she was Director of the Doctoral Program in the School of Social Work for almost 20 years, was named a Distinguished Service Professor by the University in 1992, was President of the University Senate three times and served on numerous university committees and Task Forces. Barbara wrote and presented over 50 papers and book chapters, co-authored two books and did international consulting. The Shore-Tobias Award for Anti-Discrimination Service to the University of Pittsburgh is named in her honor.  Barbara was known as a uniter and a consensus builder and was always in the forefront of social justice movements for civil rights, women's right, sexual minority's rights, protection of children and the aged. Even in the face of threats of physical harm, she lived the creed that we stand strongest when we stand with the weakest among us. Her name is enshrined at Freedom Corner on Center Avenue as a Legend of the Movement. Barbara was woven into the fabric of the Pittsburgh community and will be missed dearly. Importantly, she was beloved by the countless numbers of social workers she trained and the community workers and civic leaders with whom she worked and everyone that felt her warm smile. The awards she won over the course of her life are too numerous to list individually but a smattering include Distinguished Daughter of Pennsylvania, Hand-in-Hand Martin Luther King Award, Richard S. Caliguri Award for Community Leadership, Willie Stargell Award for Outstanding Community Service,  Pennsylvania Chapter of National Association of Social Workers Lifetime Achievement Award, Allegheny Department on Aging Recognition for Community Service, National Council of Christians and Jews Humanitarian Award, Woman of the Year by Pittsburgh Woman Magazine, Jefferson Award for Outstanding Community Service, Mon Valley Human Service Center Award for Outstanding Volunteer Service and Jewish Association on Aging Eight over Eighty Award.  She was selected as 1 of 50 notable alumni by the Graduate School of Public Health for outstanding contributions to Public Health and was named a Pioneer by the National Association of Social Work Foundation. Barbara served on over 30 boards and Task Forces and was a founding member of the boards for Allegheny County Rape Crisis Center, Persad Center for Services to Gay and Lesbian Persons, and the Children's Lobby of Western Pennsylvania. The Shore-Whitehill Award was established to honor individuals who display commitment in enabling people with disabilities to fully participate in the life of the community. Barbara is pre-deceased by her husband of 58 years Jack Shore and is survived by her four children Erika Shore (Barry Wofsy), Deborah Shore (Andy Henson), Dr. David Shore (Karen Catoe) and Benita Dombrowski (Joseph), eleven grandchildren and five great grand-children, her sister Joan Shames (George), her brother-in-law Sherman Shore and her sister-in-law Lorraine Shore and many nieces and nephews. Services at Rodef Shalom Temple, 4905 Fifth Avenue (at Morewood) on Sunday at 2 PM. Visitation at Temple one hour prior to services (1 - 2 PM). Interment Ohav Shalom Cemetery. Donations in Barbara's memory can be made to the Shore-Whitehill Award Fund at the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh, 234 McKee Place, Pittsburgh PA 15213 and the Barbara K. Shore Doctoral Fund that provides support to the School of Social Work's doctoral program at University of Pittsburgh, Office of Institutional Advancement, Attn: Liz Cooper, 128 North Craig Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15260. Condolences can be sent to Erika Shore 1731 Milvia Street, Berkeley CA, 94709. Arrangements entrusted to Ralph Schugar Chapel, Inc. www.schugar.com

Condolences

Barbara moved to the Neville House where my parents had lived for many years. Whenever I came home for a visit, I looked forward to seeing her. She was a remarkable and delightful person. My deepest sympathies.

Pittsburgh has lost a one-of-a-kind community leader, a force for justice and fairness, an activist-scholar who used her keen mind for good. Barbara touched so many of us in so many ways and so often. She will be missed, but the people she inspired will never forget her.