Barrie L. Kobb's Obituary
Barrie L. Kobb passed away peacefully on Saturday, November 15, 2025, at her residence after a long illness.
She was born on June 18, 1945, in Spangler, Pennsylvania, to Harold and Yvonne Barraclough. Barrie grew up in New Jersey and graduated from New Brunswick High School in 1963. She served as President of the Mu Alpha Theta Math Club, where her teachers often remarked on her natural talent for numbers and her willingness to help classmates succeed.
In April 1968, Barrie married Lawrence Kobb and moved to Florida, Later, she and her husband, moved to the Gainesville Eagle Pointe subdivision—a community she cherished deeply. She and Lawrence were married for 42 years.
Barrie pursued higher education with dedication and pride. She attended Eastern Baptist College from 1963 to 1966; graduated from Florida International University in 1975 with a B.A. in Liberal Studies with an emphasis on Financial Accounting; and later earned her MBA from the University of Miami in 1981.
Throughout her professional life, Barrie worked in a variety of financial and administrative positions. She was known for her diligence, reliability, and warm spirit. Colleagues remembered her not only for her competence but also for her compassion and her belief that people mattered as much as the bottom line.
Barrie was a devoted neighbor and actively embraced the spirit of the community. She enjoyed tending her backyard garden, spending quiet afternoons reading, and sharing her home with her beloved cats, Mr. Kitty and Pandora. Shortly after marrying Lawrence, she converted to Judaism and became a proud and active member of the Gainesville B’nai Israel Congregation. One of her most favorite things to do was going to Sanibel Island, Florida with her parents and husband.
She is survived by her stepsons, David Kobb (Heidi) and Steven Kobb (Rita); her grandchildren, Susanne McMahon (Patrick) and Michael Kobb (Alli); and her great-grandchildren, Madison McMahon and Liam, Graham, and Lillian Kobb. She is also survived by her nephew, Christopher Stapleton; her niece, Blair Tellez; her grandnephews, Luis Colon and Benito Tellez; and her grandnieces, Sofia Tellez and. Ximena Tellez. Barrie was preceded in death by her parents, Harold and Yvonne Barraclough, and her sister, Paula Stapleton.
A service commemorating her life will be held on Sunday, November 23, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. at B'nai Israel Cemetery, on the corner of E. University Avenue and Waldo Road with Rabbi David Kaiman officiating.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Alachua County Animal Resources & Care, an organization close to Barrie’s heart. at: https://alachuacounty.us/Depts/animalServices/Pages/AnimalServices.aspx
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