On Monday, November 30th, Barbara Irene Tanoff died surrounded by her loving family at her East Moriches home where she had lived for 48 years. She had just joyfully celebrated her 70th birthday.
A native of Southampton, Mrs. Tanoff, the picture of calm and composure, was born during a hurricane on November 25, 1950 at Southampton Hospital to James and Ruth Gilmartin Lynch. She was the 6th child of 9. Her family owned and operated Lynch’s Garden Center, a business fixture for 80 years in her hometown. She attended Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary School in Southampton and was a 1967 graduate of Mercy High School in Riverhead, NY. That graduation summer at age 17, she went to the beach in Wading River with a friend and spotted a handsome lifeguard, who would ater to be her
her husband, Bob. The Tanoff family had a summer home in Wading River where they vacationed for many years. Barbara was beautiful and turned Bob’s head that day. It was love at first sight! In the Fall, Barbara headed off to
Sacred Heart College in Belmont, North Carolina and confided to her Freshman roommate that she had met the man she was going to marry. Wanting to be nearer to Bob, Barbara transferred to Molloy College in Rockville Centre and they married in 1969. While raising their two children, Barbara earned a BA from St Joseph’s college as well as a MA in Education. For 30 years Mrs. Tanoff was an honored and loved teacher of 1st, 2nd and 3rd grades at Center Moriches Elementary School.
The centerpiece of Barbara’s life was her family. Her husband, Bob, was her true love, her rock, best friend, and partner in all. Motherhood was a natural fit – she was considered a “baby whisperer” among her family. She delighted in her own children as well as her many nieces and nephews, whom she regularly welcomed into her home. Her daughter and son, Colleen and Chris, were her heart and soul. Barbara relished every aspect of motherhood and was devoted to her children. She walked with them every step of the way, actively supporting and encouraging them as advocate, confidante, and mentor. She was considered a trusted advisor to her children while never giving advice. As a result, both her children, their spouses, and grandchildren loved to spend time with her.
Barbara had an abiding love of celebrations: births, baptisms, First Communions, graduations, birthdays and weddings, all with great enthusiasm and interest. She made each person feel important, feted, and honored; often she planned and organized family parties as she was most happy having fun and giving joy to others. Her family could count on her to be there for them, near and far. She and Bob traveled to Virginia Military Institute, University of Saint Andrews in Scotland,Missouri, Florida,and Ft Bragg, North Carolina to celebrate family milestones.
“Everyday is a gift” was a phrase she used often. She was a gift and will be missed by all those who knew and loved her.
Barbara is survived by her husband, C.Robert Tanoff, and two children; Colleen and Nathan Jayne of Westhampton, NY and Christopher and Felicia Tanoff of New York City. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Olivia and Ryan Jayne and Christopher and Jake Tanoff. She is also survived by six siblings: Anne Lynch,RSM, Jim and Sharon Lynch, Jerry Lynch, Mary Lynch,Joan Lynch ,Terry and Lori Lynch, Jeanne and Jay Diesing, sister-in-law, Sally Nolan and husband,Terry as well as many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents, Ruth and James Lynch and her in-laws Christopher and Lila Tanoff as well as her sister, Kathleen Lynch, sister-in-law, Patricia Lynch, and brother, Tim Lynch.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be given to East End Hospice in her name.
