Barbara Weinberg Rackoff
August 20, 2015

RACKOFF, BARBARA WEINBERG: June 30, 1925 -- August 20, 2015; Beloved wife of the late S. Raymond Rackoff.  Devoted mother of Bill and Nancy Rackoff of Pittsburgh and John and Lucy Rackoff of Chicago, IL.  Cherished daughter of the late Benjamin B. and Gertrude Weinberg.  Loving sister of the late Nancy (late Martin) Faberman. Adored Nanny of Peter and Melissa Rackoff, Sarah Rackoff, Michael and Katie Rackoff Feldman, Elizabeth Rackoff and Kendall Rackoff.  Special great-grandmother to Cara and Eliza Rackoff and Alexander Feldman.  Also survived by adoring nieces and nephews.   Born and raised in Pittsburgh,  Barbara  graduated from Winchester Thurston and Wheaton College.  She married her handsome Lieutenant, Raymond, upon his return from World War II.  Her husband then joined the American Shear Knife Company, (now ASKO, Inc.), supplier to the steel industry, which was founded by her father in 1933 and is now managed by her sons and grandson.  Ray and Barbara traveled the world for business and pleasure, enjoying every adventure with joie de vivre, elegance and style.  Always generous with her time and gifts to family, friends, and community.  "Barbie" to her friends, with her sister Nancy at her side, and never without her lipstick and her purse, she was the toast of the town and will be dearly missed. The family is deeply appreciative of the compassionate assistance by her caregivers. Services at Rodef Shalom Temple, 4905 Fifth Avenue (at Morewood) on Sunday at 11 AM. Visitation at Temple one hour prior to services (10 - 11 AM). Interment West View Cemetery of Rodef Shalom Congregation. Contributions may be made to Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh, 234 McKee Place, Pittsburgh, PA 15213.  Arrangements entrusted to Ralph Schugar Chapel, Inc. www.schugar.com

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The obit could have been pages long. Barbara was truly a community leader and where she went, hundreds followed. A friendly, beautiful person and a one-of-a-kind. She was an important part of my Pittsburgh youth days.