Barbara Burman Preis

Barbara Burman Preis passed away on August 18, 2022, at the age of 82. Her last months were spent both in Maryland with her granddaughter, Sarah and then in Georgia with her grandson, Elliott, and daughter-in-law, Kate. She had many visits from family and friends, and enjoyed great food, music, and hobbies she loved so much. Barbara was born in Brooklyn, New York. She was the second of three children born to William and Marie Burman, and the youngest of the “Original Seven” Burman/Alpern/Ryan cousins of 230 Pearl Street. A member of Coatesville HS’s class of 1957, Barbara earned a B.S. in elementary education from Pennsylvania State University and later did graduate work at George Washington University. Barbara taught second grade and third grade in Montgomery County Public Schools. She later worked for Montgomery County Council PTAs Creative Enrichment Program, eventually becoming a co-administrator. Barbara met her husband, Marvin Preis in 1960 and were married in 1961. They raised three children until Marv’s untimely death in 1977. As a single parent, Barbara provided her sons with love and guidance. They were blessed with a massive support system in the form of a large, tight-knit family. As a young widow, Barbara was heavily involved in support groups for widows and single parents. She became a peer counselor through the Montgomery County Commission for Women and led support groups for widows at A Woman’s Place in Rockville, Maryland. Though she had some dancing lessons as a child, Barbara started to tap dance in earnest in her 50s. She was an avid participant in Jazzercise, Zumba, and aerobic dance, and she never said “no” to an opportunity to practice or learn a new form of dance or exercise. Barb tapped as an adult at Feet First, DC Dance Collective, and Knock On Wood Tap Studio, and she “loved every minute of it.” She brushed elbows and shim-shammed with a rotating ensemble of friends, classmates, instructors, and professional dancers. Barbara was honored to perform at the Kennedy Center with Knock on Wood and the National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade, as well as countless festivals, shows, retirement communities, and nursing homes. Theater was another great love of Barbara’s life. As a young person, Barbara went to countless shows, both on and off Broadway. Later in life, she continued her habit of enjoying the theater as a season ticket holder at the Kennedy Center. She always sat in the front row to accommodate for her short stature, not to mention her profound enthusiasm for live performance. She prepared for her much-anticipated first viewing of Hamilton by printing out all of the lyrics and listening to the music ahead of time, just so she wouldn’t miss a thing. By the end of her life, Barbara remarked that she had seen pretty much every show she wanted to. Barbara is survived by her three sons: Michael, Alan (Kate), and Bill, and six grandchildren: Sarah, Emily, Elliott, Jacob, Anderson, and Elise. She is survived by a brother, Gary, and predeceased by her sister, Sondra. Barbara also leaves behind a large extended family filled with cousins, nieces, nephews, and countless “distant” relatives whose presence in her life could be described as anything but. Barbara is also survived by a network of friends, fellow tap dancers, and neighbors who helped fill her life with love and light. Barbara faced her death with many of the same qualities that made her so incomparable in life: empathy, grace, good humor, and practicality. She regularly told her loved ones that she was at peace with dying, and she was grateful to have lived such a long and fruitful life full of good experiences, happy memories, and love. Barbara was touched by the outpouring of support, affection, and gratitude she received from friends, family members, and acquaintances in her last months. Those of us who love her will undoubtedly feel some sadness over the loss of such an irreplaceable person. As a counselor of widows (and a widow herself), Barbara understood the importance of allowing oneself to feel and process grief. Still, it would be a great honor to her memory for mourners to keep her in their thoughts during the happier parts of life. The next time you take an exercise class or see a musical or play, think of Barbara. Remember her zest for life on your next trip, and think back on fond memories whenever you dig into a sweet treat. That includes treating yourself to a glass of wine, a dinner out with friends and family at the tastiest Italian or Chinese food you can find. During your next tap dance performance, give the audience an extra bright smile for Barb. Although her physical presence is gone, Barbara remains here with all of us when we reminisce and share stories about the good times shared with her. In lieu of flowers, Barbara requested that those wishing to extend their sympathies donate to one of the three following organizations: Knock on Wood Tap Studio in Washington, D.C., the American Lung Association, or the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation.

Barbara Burman Preis

October 29, 1939 - August 18, 2022