Obituaries

Minerva “Cookie” (nee Lipschutz) Barsky passed away peacefully on Monday, September 25, 2017 at the age of 92 surrounded by her loving family. She was born in Philadelphia in 1925 to Charles Lipschutz and Cathleen “Kitty” (Slennhoff) Lipschutz. She grew up in the borough of Wynnewood along with her brother, Alan.
When Cookie finished school, she spent some time modeling, including advertisements for Sealy mattresses and other appliance companies. She married her husband Edward Barsky on November 30, 1957 and the two enjoyed 36 years of marriage before Ed’s death in 1993.
In 1965, Cookie, Ed and their young children Steven, Cathy and Karen moved to Los Angeles so Ed could better pursue his career in the music business.
Cookie enjoyed opening up her home for Ed’s record industry friends and colleagues. She and Ed traveled frequently, including vacations in Europe, Jamaica, Cuba, Florida and short trips to Palm Springs.
The couple took many trips to record industry conventions and golf tournaments, where Ed was known for his scratch golf game. They also spent much of their free time socializing at the Riviera County Club.
As her children grew older, Cookie discovered a new passion later in life working in a friend’s boutique clothing store in Beverly Hills. Cookie’s warm demeanor and outgoing social disposition made her a customer favorite, and the store was successful for many years.
In her free time, she enjoyed reading, attending theater performances and concerts and sharing her appreciation of art with her children and grandchildren. Cookie volunteered for the Israel Cancer Research Fund, working in their office and helping organize their annual block party fundraiser. She was named volunteer of the year in 2002.
As her children formed families of their own, Cookie’s greatest joy became spoiling her four grandsons, who grew up always surrounded by her kind and generous spirit.
Once living on her own became more difficult, Cookie moved to Fountainview At Eisenberg Village in Reseda, California. Even though she resisted at first, she quickly grew to love the social atmosphere and made new friends quickly.
She spent her last year at Cypress Place Senior Living in Ventura, California.
Cookie is survived by Karen (Dirk) Minderhout, Cathy (Stewart) Kriegstein, Steven (Kristine) Barsky and grandchildren Cory (Jessica) Minderhout, Aaron Minderhout and fiance Hana, Charlie Minderhout, and Josh Kriegstein.
Cookie’s last days were made so much better by the caring, compassion, dignity and love given her by the Livingston CareGivers & Livingston Hospice staff. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Cookie’s memory to Livingston Memorial Visiting Nurse Association.