Obituaries

Barbara Mitnick, A Beloved Mother, Sister, and Nana

Barbara Mitnick, aged 83, peacefully passed away surrounded by family on March 1, 2024, at her home in Laguna Hills, California. Born in Detroit, Michigan, on March 26, 1940, to Elanie Lezerson Lachar and Joseph Lachar, Barbara was a beacon of light and warmth throughout her life, touching everyone she met with her boundless energy and glamorous personality.

From her earliest days in Detroit, Barbara’s passion for life was evident, bringing a smile to the faces of family and friends with her natural talents in the arts. One talent stood out amongst them all, her superpower as a chef. Whether it be Thanksgiving Mac n’ Cheese or Chanukah Mandel Bread, her cooking was not just about the food; it was her way of bringing people together, creating memories of love, laughter, and joy among the people she cared about most.

Barbara married her soulmate, Sidney Mitnick, in 1956, and together they built a loving family. She was a devoted mother to Wendy Mitnick Cohen and Bruce Mitnick (deceased), weaving her wisdom and zest into the fabric of their lives. The family moved to Los Angeles, establishing deep roots and a community of friends and loved ones. Her home was a hub of warmth, filled with the aromas of homemade gourmet meals, and filled with the cheers (or boos) of her family depending on whether they picked the right football team to bet on that day.

She leaves behind a legacy of love and cherished memories among her family including her daughter Wendy and her husband Johnny O’Brien, her brother & sister-in-law Michael Lachar and Carol Lachar, and her grandchildren Sara Lieberman and her husband Alex Lieberman, Evan Cohen, Ethan Cohen, Joshua Mitnick, Lucy O’Brien, and newest family addition, great grandbaby, Sydney Mara Lieberman.

The family invites those who knew Barbara to remember and celebrate her life on March 17th, 2:00 pm, at Hillside Memorial Park in Los Angeles, where she will be laid to rest beside her son Bruce and her husband Sidney. In keeping with Barbara’s spirit of giving, donations may be made to
Shriner’s Children’s Hospital – Love to the Rescue (link) or SOVA Food Bank (link).

For those who are not able to attend the funeral live, we invite you to join us via live stream using the following link: https://hillsidememorial.livecontrol.tv/7efb30d7

Her life was a testament to the power of love, the beauty of family, and the immeasurable impact that one strong woman can make on the lives of many. Barbara’s memory will forever be a blessing to all who knew her.