Barbara Lee Surbrook

COLUMBUS – Barbara Lee Surbrook, age 78, passed away March 3, 2025, surrounded by loving family. A resident of New York City for over 40 years, Barbara moved to Columbus after retirement to be with her family. She was preceded in death by her parents, James and Marie Surbrook and her sister and brother-in-law, Elaine and Leonard Benson. She is survived by her sister, Carol Pitt, nieces, Deborah Ryan, Susan Harvey, Linda Pitt, Amy Necesario, Lynn Smith and Pamela Jacops plus many great nieces, nephews, and cousins. Barbara is also survived by many wonderful neighbors and friends at Westminster-Thurber Ohio Living. She was a faithful member of Overbrook Presbyterian Church in Clintonville.

Born and raised in Michigan, Barbara graduated from Grosse Pointe High School in 1964. She then earned a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Michigan before moving to the Upper West Side of Manhattan to accept a teaching fellowship at Columbia University. While at Columbia, she went on to earn two Master’s degrees in Arts and in Education and to become a member of the Kappa Delta Pi Honor Society in Education.

After leaving Columbia, she worked at the headquarters of the United Presbyterian Church where she wrote and edited for their education magazine. As a member of the Stated Clerks staff, she traveled to meetings in many different cities and states.

Eventually, it was her love of music and children that led her on a different path. In 1988 she earned board certification in the emerging field of Music Therapy which became her life passion and a career she loved. She worked as a Music Therapist and Special Ed teacher in New York for close to twenty years – landing her dream job at the Kennedy Child Study Center, a school for children with mental and physical disabilities.

She further pursued her passion for music by becoming a trained opera singer and member of the professional Church/Oratorio Choir of St. Bartholomew’s Episcopal Cathedral in mid-town Manhattan. She sang solo performances in and around the city, and belonged to an early music (baroque) group. She recorded both a solo album and group albums with the Millenia Singers.

Barbara’s move to Columbus brought her back to the Midwest, but New York was forever in her heart. She embraced retirement, participating in a host of activities like her beloved drumming circle. An avid sports fan, she cheered on the Yankees, the Tigers, the Lions, and most of all – the Wolverines.

Although Barbara faced many physical challenges her entire life, she never despaired or gave up her dreams. She achieved much and helped many in her lifetime. Forever cheerful and optimistic, she was an inspiration to all who met her. She will be deeply missed by family and friends.

A celebration of life is planned for Thursday, March 20, 2025 at 11 am, in the community room on the 11th floor of the Heritage Pointe building on the Ohio Living Westminster Thurber campus at 717 Neil Ave., Columbus, OH 43215. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Overbrook Presbyterian Church https://overbrookchurch.org/give/ or the Ohio Living Foundation https://ohioliving.org/foundation/donate.