Barbara Stoller

Barbara Weiner Stoller, 73, of New Hope, Pennsylvania, passed away peacefully on August 30th, 2025 (her birthday!). She was the beloved wife of David, whom she met on their first day of law school in 1978, the adoring mother of three beautiful daughters, Samantha, Jessica (Dan) and Molly (Eric), and the loving bubbe to grandsons Edison, Macklin, and Griffin.

Barbara was a highly respected attorney and community leader who, among other accomplishments, was the founding chairperson of the South Orange Performing Arts Center (“SOPAC”) and president of her then synagogue, Temple Sharey Tefilo-Israel (“TSTI”) – reflecting Barbara’s deep interest in the arts and Judaism, respectively. She was a passionate woman of great capacities, enthusiasm and integrity— always ready to volunteer her leadership or support. Of her many accomplishments, the job she always wanted – and excelled at – was being a mother. So we can add PTA President, Cookie Mom and Carpool Chief to the above list.

Born in Rahway, NJ in 1952, to Murray and Estelle Weiner, she was a loving sister to Jody and Jeff. From a young age she loved theater – after she graduated from Mount Holyoke College she continued to Northwestern University for her master’s degree and went on to perform in various summer stock productions, taught and directed theater in an HUD children’s theater program in South Carolina and moved to New York City, where she appeared on several soap operas (including “General Hospital” and “One Life to Live”) and commercials.

During this time she was also working as a paralegal and decided to go to law school— where she thrived. Barbara finished in the top 10% of her Fordham class and, utilizing her acting chops, won the class “moot court” competition.

David, of course, was dazzled, and it was a match – they married while still in school (although many of their classmates didn’t realize it, since they never sat together – Barbara said he talked too much). After school, and two successful summer internships, Barbara was invited to practice law with the prestigious firm Skadden, Arps. She remained there until opting to practice closer to home with her lifelong friend, Anita Siegel.

Alongside her professional career she ran the household, keeping track of the 5 Stollers and directing their days, aided by a crisp yellow legal pad and fueled by her stash of chocolate malt balls.

For the past fifteen years, Barbara valiantly battled early-onset Alzheimer’s disease, always ready to try potential remedies, pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions, clinical trials, new technologies including repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (“RTMS”)—which she called “head-banging.”

As her decline grew steeper, she faced what was inevitable with courage, sadness— and occasional humor, saying her senior moments were starting to touch.

What a loss to so many who knew and loved her, as well as those who only met her as the disease was tightening its grip and never knew how extraordinary she was.

A memorial service will be held on Monday, September 1st, at Kehilat HaNahar, 85 W Mechanic Street New Hope, PA 18938, on Monday starting at 4:00PM. Following services, shiva will be observed at her late residence. Shiva will continue on Tuesday from 2:00pm to 8:00pm and Wednesday from 4:00pm until 8:00pm at the home of Jessica and Dan Smith in Maplewood, NJ. Shiva will conclude at the late residence on Thursday from 4:00pm to 8:00pm. Please make any donations to the Alzheimer’s Association (alz.org) in Barbara’s name, perhaps while listening to the overture from a golden age Broadway musical.