Barbara Ann Wirth Sirotin

In addition to being a dear friend, Barb was an inspiration. She had a sixth sense for labeling and facilitating the unique talents and gifts of each educator for whom she served as an administrator. She fostered a climate of love and dedication for the students under her care, and the reward of working as a team in service to them resulted in the most rewarding experience I have had as an educator in the over 30 years I have spent in that role. If we were to list out on a scroll the names of all the lives she has enriched, the path to its end would extend far beyond our sight. Blessings on your next travels dear Friend.

Barb was more than a mentor or a friend; she was a guiding light and a spiritual companion on this journey of life. She supported me in every way possible, and our bond was closer to that of family—more like an aunt than a boss or supervisor.

We shared so many incredible adventures together in India, from the tranquil beauty of the Andaman Islands to our deep studies with Professor Ramchandra Gandhi and the teachings of His Holiness the Karmapa. We explored Gross National Happiness in Bhutan where we also met the King, and walked the sacred grounds of Ramana Maharshi's ashram in Tiruvannamalai, where Barb also had the chance to meet my extended family in Tamil Nadu. Those moments are etched in my heart as some of the most meaningful experiences of my life.

Barb’s presence at my engagement in New Jersey, just two years after I returned from India, meant the world to me. Her and Nick's love and support have been constants in my 20sl, and I feel incredibly blessed to have had her by my side during such significant milestones.

Barb was a phenomenal human being, embodying the essence of what it means to be a lifelong learner. Her curiosity, wisdom, and kindness continue to inspire me every day. As Thich Nhat Hanh often speaks of continuation, I know Barb’s spirit lives on in the countless lives she has touched, including mine.

My deepest love and appreciation go out to her entire family and to Nick. Barb’s legacy of love, learning, and adventure will forever be a part of me and all who were fortunate enough to know her.

On behalf of Vivo Bene Village, Doi Saket, Chiang Mai, Thailand, it is with heavy hearts that we honor the memory of Mrs. Barb, a cherished guest who recently passed away. Her time with us at Vivo Bene Village, Thailand, though brief, left an indelible mark on everyone she encountered.

Since Mrs. Barb arrived in 2022, she brought with her a sense of warmth and kindness to Vivo Bene. She had the spirit of a teacher and was dedicated to instructing our staff in swimming activities. Mrs. Barb had a remarkable way of making those around her feel valued.

Her stay with us was marked by her vibrant spirit and her ability to find joy in the simplest things. Although Mrs. Barb was with us for only a short time, her impact was profound. As we say goodbye to Mrs. Barb, we do so with deep gratitude for the time we were able to share with her. Her presence will be missed, but her spirit will remain a cherished part of our memories.

Rest in peace, Mrs. Barb. You will always hold a special place in our hearts.

Front Office team
Vivo bene Village, Thailand

I will always be grateful that Barb took a chance and hired me as a young teacher to join AES. It was a life-changing move for our family, and supported my growth as a human and educator in ways that I could never have predicted. I am grateful for the short time I had the opportunity to work with Barb, and also the couple of opportunities to connect with her after her retirement on her return trips to India. Sending love to all her family from the Schmid family.

I've had the privilege of working closely with Barb both in the US and India. She was one of the most professionally competent and caring educators and individuals I've known. She loved India and was constantly exploring its culture and sites. When I think of Barb this poem comes to mind I think of how beloved she was by so many.
Late Fragment
~ Raymond Carver

And did you get what
you wanted from this life, even so?
I did.
And what did you want?
To call myself beloved, to feel myself
beloved on the earth.

We were at AES, Delhi,India together for a few years and Barb became more than just a colleague. With me looking after the Food Services and Barb’s taste for exquisite servings at her gatherings and her deep interest in widening healthy choices for the Middle School lunch, we had many interesting conversations. We shared a common love for art and indian artefacts. If I close my eyes, I can see and hear her infectious laugh. Sorry Nick about her last days being dementia ridden. It’s really hard to see someone so involved and bubbly slip like that. Barb will always be cherished! Amen.

My friend Barb had the best smile I’ve ever seen. And the thing about it was that it connected directly to her big heart. She also had a way of raising her arms up and wide as a way of saying isn’t all this grand? Isn’t life wonderful? Aren’t we lucky?

She lived every part of life big and large and filled her days with life’s required small tasks but also with adventure and passion and purpose. She inspired those around her to go for the gold, climb the high mountain, do the thing you thought you couldn’t do. She couldn’t resist doing things well. Really, really well. Stay up past midnight and make it perfect.

She didn’t care much about the things people tend to collect except to surround her family with comfort and love. She and Nick both loved art and made sure to fill their senses with good art anywhere they traveled. I always admired her bookshelves completely filled with books. Mostly all read and filled with notes in the margins. She opened my learning life to interesting philosophers, other cultures, leadership, historians, and artists. With coffee cup or wine glass in hand we would discuss for hours how these ideas could impact our lives, education and politics.

She had the biggest sometimes craziest ideas. She saw them just as ideas that must be pursued. She filtered out barriers and only saw possibilities. Her relentless pursuit and elegant refinement of these ideas always translated into something that made life and learning better for students, the school community or for her family and friends.

She loved adventures, celebrations and making things special. It could be getting tickets to a Willie Nelson concert, fundraising for the arts, creating a center for teachers professional learning, implementing a new student code of conduct, visiting the Dali Lama, moving to Bangkok, moving to Delhi, creating a Thanksgiving potluck, swimming across a lake, hiking a mountain, taking a train through the Alps, inspiring all of us to want to stay longer, work harder, laugh more, and experience joy. And on and on.

Once she and Nick flew from Rhode Island to Phoenix to sit at the kitchen table with me to make sure I wrote the first five pages of my dissertation. Once she flew from Delhi to San Francisco to watch Nicole receive an award. She was always pushing on “normal” ideas of space and time.

She had these giant feelings of love, welcome, encouragement, and happiness. You were always safe, nurtured, and supported in her presence. And nudged into action.

She loved Nick fiercely. They had the kind of love that anyone would hope for. They were life partners who together made sure their kids grew up healthy, strong, and focused on all life’s possibilities. Nick supported her in all the ways as she intentionally modeled being a wife and a mom and a doctoral student and an educational leader who soared in accomplishments. She was so proud of both Justin and Nicole, loved their incredible spouses and adored her beautiful grandchildren.

Most of all I knew her as the best kind of friend who believed in me and inspired me and brought joy to my life. I am so blessed to have a thousand wonderful memories over more than forty years.

One time it was me moving away and she gave me a framed calligraphed message, “Some people come into our lives and quickly go. Some stay for a while, leave footprints on our hearts and we are never ever the same.” Of course I still have it and treasure it.

Her footprints are now indelibly printed on my heart and I am the one who will never ever be the same.

Barb, I am so grateful for so much. I will miss you every day forever. May your spirit continue to rise and soar. ❤️

Barb was a special person. I had the privilege of working with her in Arlington Heights District 25. In her many roles she was always calm, positive and an advocate for children. She walked her talk and modeled how to do the best for education
Her family was her prize possession. She had such pride in both of her children’s individual skills and abilities. The glisten in her eyes was always the mark of her sincere smile and approval. Her laugh was priceless.
I am sorry for the families loss, but know she left many positive memories for all of us. Rest in peace, Barb.

My sympathies to all of the Sirotin Family for this deep loss. I am so sorry to know Barb was robbed of her cognitive abilities; she was an incredible thinker, creative, colorful, extraordinary. I worked with Barb in Arlington Heights, some time ago! I do know how much her family meant to her -- and always will. Bless all of you and may her memory keep you ever warm and close in your hearts.

To all of Barb's family,
When I originally knew Barb, she was a consultant with District 25 in Arlington Heights. Then, I had the privilege of teaching her daughter Nicole. I kept "in the know" with Barb through our mutual good friend Carol and only saw each other a few times. But, she and her family was unforgettable! Barb was talented, bright, hard working and loving. Her priorities were always her family and the betterment of children. I treasure her life and her work to improve others' lives. I thank God for Barb! I still can "hear her voice and her laugh!"

I send you all my deepest sympathies. We are all better people having known Barb Sirotin!

Love,
Cathy Sauer McQuillan

Barb always had the brightest smile, a kind word and a generous heart. She made such an impact on the community of Kyrene where I had the privilege of working with her. When she joined the international schools, Barb’s unwavering commitment to serving others and high quality education would make a lasting impact on the world. Shine on Barb.

I saw a lot of barbara and glad I knew her and sorry for your For your loss