Barbara J. Lambert
Date of Passing: June 6th, 2020
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Donations in Barb’s memory may be made to the Humane Society of Rome (NY) or the Utica Zoo.
Our mom, grandmother, and friend, Barbara Lambert, ended her adventures on Earth on June 6, 2020. She had turned 87 a few days earlier, a milestone that she celebrated with her children via FaceTime. Barb was born on June 2, 1933 in Syracuse, NY, the daughter of the late Jerry and Rose (Klein) Streicher. Owing to Jerry's profession in the retail shoe business, the Streicher family moved often, living in Kansas City, MO, Newark, NJ, New York City, and Rochester, NY before settling in Utica in 1940. Barb graduated from Utica Free Academy in 1951, and in 1955 she graduated from Syracuse University, where she majored in sociology and minored in Russian studies. Although she originally planned to continue her dual major at Yale after graduation, she chose instead to marry Philip "Buddy" Lambert on June 19, 1955 in Utica. Barb and Buddy were married 52 years until Buddy's passing on August 12, 2007. The couple lived in Fayetteville, NY until 1962, when they and their four children (Kim, Ross, Alan, Holley) moved to New Hartford. Barb enrolled at Utica College as a part-time student in 1966, and received her Master's degree in Elementary Education in 1971. She served as a corrective reading teacher in the New Hartford and Utica school districts as well as a GED instructor in New Hartford before being named the first Curator of Education at the Utica Zoo in 1973, a position she held until her retirement in 1987. Whole generations of school children knew her as "The Zoo Lady" as she traveled from classroom to classroom throughout Oneida County presenting curriculum-coordinated lessons to go along with four handleable zoo animals (including the ever-popular boa constrictor, Pretzel). All of the Lamberts shared Barb's dedication to the zoo, washing donated lettuce in the family driveway, providing visitors with Ry-Krisp crackers to feed to the animals, and staffing various booths during annual Zoo Fairs. In addition, Barb and Buddy spent many a late night laying out the Zootica newsletter by hand. It was truly a family community-service effort. Following retirement from the zoo, Barb served as a substitute teacher for the Utica City School District, a citizenship teacher at the BOCES ACCESS Center in Utica, and a volunteer reading tutor at Jones Elementary School in Utica. She was a volunteer proofreader for Utica College, carefully combing through draft Pioneer alumni magazines with an editor's keen eye, and she served as the copy editor for an instructional book on furniture refinishing written by her friend, Marge Van Slyke. Barb also enjoyed volunteering at the Lutheran Home with her therapy dog, Jenny, a rescue dog she adopted from the Rome Humane Society. Barb greatly enjoyed reading, doing New York Times crossword puzzles, watching SU men's basketball games, flower and vegetable gardening, knitting, and, when she was able, cross-country skiing. She enjoyed watching movies and attending theatrical performances, especially musicals, and often talked about Broadway productions that her parents took her to as a child. She shared an interest in genealogy with her son-in-law, Ted O'Bryan, and together they created family histories for the Lambert, Streicher, and Klein families. Barb was a consummate teacher and a rabid proofreader who delighted in catching grammatical errors in newspapers and magazines. She enjoyed creating humorous poems to celebrate special occasions. The poem that she wrote for her own 80th birthday included this line: "Before I was 30, I was mothering four Or five (counting Buddy) – oh well, what was one more?" Finally, although she would deny it, Barb ably channeled Buddy's love of puns, a "skill" that lives on in her children. Barb was truly a kind person who had an amazing sense of fairness; she once left a coin on top of a parking meter when winter ice blocked the slot. She was generous, thanking those who helped her over the years with home-baked goodies, gift cards to favorite restaurants, and for a few lucky people, hand-knitted afghans. She was immensely proud of her family's accomplishments, and kept numerous scrapbooks documenting their success stories. She was interesting and interested until the end. In the last eight years of her life, Barb experienced a number of significant health issues, many life-threatening. Through it all, she maintained extraordinary grace, deep gratitude for those who cared for her, and most of all, a delightful sense of humor. About a week before she passed away, Barb tested positive for COVID-19. While her condition was miraculously improving, it was a previous illness that claimed her life. Whether it was strength or sheer stubbornness, she fought hard, and for that the family is in awe. Barb is survived by her daughter, Kim Lambert (William Wheatley); son, Alan Lambert; daughter, Holley O'Bryan (Ted); grandchildren Randy Lambert and Kimberley Goodman and their mother, Kelley Kelley; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins with special mention of Jerry and Barb Klein, Karen Allen, Bonnie Brown, and Judy Graham. She is also survived by her beloved kitty, Abby. In addition to her parents, Barb was predeceased by her husband, Buddy; son, Ross; brother, Sydney Streicher; nephew, Jack Streicher; and her cousin and close friend, Roberta Balfus. The family wishes to thank the caretakers who made it possible for Barb to live at home as long as she did, with special mention of Nicole, Linda, and Jasmine, and the many nurses and aides who cared for her. The family also thanks the doctors who saved her life on more than one occasion, including, most recently, Dr. Ghassan Koussa. To the front-line nurses at St. Elizabeth and St. Luke's hospitals, you are heroes. Special thanks to Dr. Amy Gorzynski, who for more than 20 years helped our mother lead a life that was not only well-lived but also on her own terms. Dr. G., there aren't enough words to thank you for all that you did for our mom. Donations in Barb's memory may be made to the Humane Society of Rome (NY) or the Utica Zoo. Barb and Kim co-wrote this obituary and, of course, Barb edited it from her hospital bed. She wanted to tell her children how grateful she was for their loving care, and she thanked her daughters and their husbands for their homemade "Gourmet Meals on Wheels." After our father died, Mom created a list of "Buddy-isms" – the funny and quirky things he was known for or would often say. We will now start our list of "Mom-isms." The family will observe a private graveside service for Barb. Arrangements have been entrusted to Mark C. Bentz Funeral Service in New Hartford. Condolences may be posted to bentzfuneralhomes.com. May Barb rest in peace. May her memory be a blessing.
Date of Passing: June 6th, 2020
leave a condolence read condolences
Donations in Barb’s memory may be made to the Humane Society of Rome (NY) or the Utica Zoo.
Our mom, grandmother, and friend, Barbara Lambert, ended her adventures on Earth on June 6, 2020. She had turned 87 a few days earlier, a milestone that she celebrated with her children via FaceTime. Barb was born on June 2, 1933 in Syracuse, NY, the daughter of the late Jerry and Rose (Klein) Streicher. Owing to Jerry's profession in the retail shoe business, the Streicher family moved often, living in Kansas City, MO, Newark, NJ, New York City, and Rochester, NY before settling in Utica in 1940. Barb graduated from Utica Free Academy in 1951, and in 1955 she graduated from Syracuse University, where she majored in sociology and minored in Russian studies. Although she originally planned to continue her dual major at Yale after graduation, she chose instead to marry Philip "Buddy" Lambert on June 19, 1955 in Utica. Barb and Buddy were married 52 years until Buddy's passing on August 12, 2007. The couple lived in Fayetteville, NY until 1962, when they and their four children (Kim, Ross, Alan, Holley) moved to New Hartford. Barb enrolled at Utica College as a part-time student in 1966, and received her Master's degree in Elementary Education in 1971. She served as a corrective reading teacher in the New Hartford and Utica school districts as well as a GED instructor in New Hartford before being named the first Curator of Education at the Utica Zoo in 1973, a position she held until her retirement in 1987. Whole generations of school children knew her as "The Zoo Lady" as she traveled from classroom to classroom throughout Oneida County presenting curriculum-coordinated lessons to go along with four handleable zoo animals (including the ever-popular boa constrictor, Pretzel). All of the Lamberts shared Barb's dedication to the zoo, washing donated lettuce in the family driveway, providing visitors with Ry-Krisp crackers to feed to the animals, and staffing various booths during annual Zoo Fairs. In addition, Barb and Buddy spent many a late night laying out the Zootica newsletter by hand. It was truly a family community-service effort. Following retirement from the zoo, Barb served as a substitute teacher for the Utica City School District, a citizenship teacher at the BOCES ACCESS Center in Utica, and a volunteer reading tutor at Jones Elementary School in Utica. She was a volunteer proofreader for Utica College, carefully combing through draft Pioneer alumni magazines with an editor's keen eye, and she served as the copy editor for an instructional book on furniture refinishing written by her friend, Marge Van Slyke. Barb also enjoyed volunteering at the Lutheran Home with her therapy dog, Jenny, a rescue dog she adopted from the Rome Humane Society. Barb greatly enjoyed reading, doing New York Times crossword puzzles, watching SU men's basketball games, flower and vegetable gardening, knitting, and, when she was able, cross-country skiing. She enjoyed watching movies and attending theatrical performances, especially musicals, and often talked about Broadway productions that her parents took her to as a child. She shared an interest in genealogy with her son-in-law, Ted O'Bryan, and together they created family histories for the Lambert, Streicher, and Klein families. Barb was a consummate teacher and a rabid proofreader who delighted in catching grammatical errors in newspapers and magazines. She enjoyed creating humorous poems to celebrate special occasions. The poem that she wrote for her own 80th birthday included this line: "Before I was 30, I was mothering four Or five (counting Buddy) – oh well, what was one more?" Finally, although she would deny it, Barb ably channeled Buddy's love of puns, a "skill" that lives on in her children. Barb was truly a kind person who had an amazing sense of fairness; she once left a coin on top of a parking meter when winter ice blocked the slot. She was generous, thanking those who helped her over the years with home-baked goodies, gift cards to favorite restaurants, and for a few lucky people, hand-knitted afghans. She was immensely proud of her family's accomplishments, and kept numerous scrapbooks documenting their success stories. She was interesting and interested until the end. In the last eight years of her life, Barb experienced a number of significant health issues, many life-threatening. Through it all, she maintained extraordinary grace, deep gratitude for those who cared for her, and most of all, a delightful sense of humor. About a week before she passed away, Barb tested positive for COVID-19. While her condition was miraculously improving, it was a previous illness that claimed her life. Whether it was strength or sheer stubbornness, she fought hard, and for that the family is in awe. Barb is survived by her daughter, Kim Lambert (William Wheatley); son, Alan Lambert; daughter, Holley O'Bryan (Ted); grandchildren Randy Lambert and Kimberley Goodman and their mother, Kelley Kelley; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins with special mention of Jerry and Barb Klein, Karen Allen, Bonnie Brown, and Judy Graham. She is also survived by her beloved kitty, Abby. In addition to her parents, Barb was predeceased by her husband, Buddy; son, Ross; brother, Sydney Streicher; nephew, Jack Streicher; and her cousin and close friend, Roberta Balfus. The family wishes to thank the caretakers who made it possible for Barb to live at home as long as she did, with special mention of Nicole, Linda, and Jasmine, and the many nurses and aides who cared for her. The family also thanks the doctors who saved her life on more than one occasion, including, most recently, Dr. Ghassan Koussa. To the front-line nurses at St. Elizabeth and St. Luke's hospitals, you are heroes. Special thanks to Dr. Amy Gorzynski, who for more than 20 years helped our mother lead a life that was not only well-lived but also on her own terms. Dr. G., there aren't enough words to thank you for all that you did for our mom. Donations in Barb's memory may be made to the Humane Society of Rome (NY) or the Utica Zoo. Barb and Kim co-wrote this obituary and, of course, Barb edited it from her hospital bed. She wanted to tell her children how grateful she was for their loving care, and she thanked her daughters and their husbands for their homemade "Gourmet Meals on Wheels." After our father died, Mom created a list of "Buddy-isms" – the funny and quirky things he was known for or would often say. We will now start our list of "Mom-isms." The family will observe a private graveside service for Barb. Arrangements have been entrusted to Mark C. Bentz Funeral Service in New Hartford. Condolences may be posted to bentzfuneralhomes.com. May Barb rest in peace. May her memory be a blessing.
Barbara J. Lambert
Date of Passing: June 6th, 2020
leave a condolence read condolences
Donations in Barb’s memory may be made to the Humane Society of Rome (NY) or the Utica Zoo.
Our mom, grandmother, and friend, Barbara Lambert, ended her adventures on Earth on June 6, 2020. She had turned 87 a few days earlier, a milestone that she celebrated with her children via FaceTime. Barb was born on June 2, 1933 in Syracuse, NY, the daughter of the late Jerry and Rose (Klein) Streicher. Owing to Jerry's profession in the retail shoe business, the Streicher family moved often, living in Kansas City, MO, Newark, NJ, New York City, and Rochester, NY before settling in Utica in 1940. Barb graduated from Utica Free Academy in 1951, and in 1955 she graduated from Syracuse University, where she majored in sociology and minored in Russian studies. Although she originally planned to continue her dual major at Yale after graduation, she chose instead to marry Philip "Buddy" Lambert on June 19, 1955 in Utica. Barb and Buddy were married 52 years until Buddy's passing on August 12, 2007. The couple lived in Fayetteville, NY until 1962, when they and their four children (Kim, Ross, Alan, Holley) moved to New Hartford. Barb enrolled at Utica College as a part-time student in 1966, and received her Master's degree in Elementary Education in 1971. She served as a corrective reading teacher in the New Hartford and Utica school districts as well as a GED instructor in New Hartford before being named the first Curator of Education at the Utica Zoo in 1973, a position she held until her retirement in 1987. Whole generations of school children knew her as "The Zoo Lady" as she traveled from classroom to classroom throughout Oneida County presenting curriculum-coordinated lessons to go along with four handleable zoo animals (including the ever-popular boa constrictor, Pretzel). All of the Lamberts shared Barb's dedication to the zoo, washing donated lettuce in the family driveway, providing visitors with Ry-Krisp crackers to feed to the animals, and staffing various booths during annual Zoo Fairs. In addition, Barb and Buddy spent many a late night laying out the Zootica newsletter by hand. It was truly a family community-service effort. Following retirement from the zoo, Barb served as a substitute teacher for the Utica City School District, a citizenship teacher at the BOCES ACCESS Center in Utica, and a volunteer reading tutor at Jones Elementary School in Utica. She was a volunteer proofreader for Utica College, carefully combing through draft Pioneer alumni magazines with an editor's keen eye, and she served as the copy editor for an instructional book on furniture refinishing written by her friend, Marge Van Slyke. Barb also enjoyed volunteering at the Lutheran Home with her therapy dog, Jenny, a rescue dog she adopted from the Rome Humane Society. Barb greatly enjoyed reading, doing New York Times crossword puzzles, watching SU men's basketball games, flower and vegetable gardening, knitting, and, when she was able, cross-country skiing. She enjoyed watching movies and attending theatrical performances, especially musicals, and often talked about Broadway productions that her parents took her to as a child. She shared an interest in genealogy with her son-in-law, Ted O'Bryan, and together they created family histories for the Lambert, Streicher, and Klein families. Barb was a consummate teacher and a rabid proofreader who delighted in catching grammatical errors in newspapers and magazines. She enjoyed creating humorous poems to celebrate special occasions. The poem that she wrote for her own 80th birthday included this line: "Before I was 30, I was mothering four Or five (counting Buddy) – oh well, what was one more?" Finally, although she would deny it, Barb ably channeled Buddy's love of puns, a "skill" that lives on in her children. Barb was truly a kind person who had an amazing sense of fairness; she once left a coin on top of a parking meter when winter ice blocked the slot. She was generous, thanking those who helped her over the years with home-baked goodies, gift cards to favorite restaurants, and for a few lucky people, hand-knitted afghans. She was immensely proud of her family's accomplishments, and kept numerous scrapbooks documenting their success stories. She was interesting and interested until the end. In the last eight years of her life, Barb experienced a number of significant health issues, many life-threatening. Through it all, she maintained extraordinary grace, deep gratitude for those who cared for her, and most of all, a delightful sense of humor. About a week before she passed away, Barb tested positive for COVID-19. While her condition was miraculously improving, it was a previous illness that claimed her life. Whether it was strength or sheer stubbornness, she fought hard, and for that the family is in awe. Barb is survived by her daughter, Kim Lambert (William Wheatley); son, Alan Lambert; daughter, Holley O'Bryan (Ted); grandchildren Randy Lambert and Kimberley Goodman and their mother, Kelley Kelley; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins with special mention of Jerry and Barb Klein, Karen Allen, Bonnie Brown, and Judy Graham. She is also survived by her beloved kitty, Abby. In addition to her parents, Barb was predeceased by her husband, Buddy; son, Ross; brother, Sydney Streicher; nephew, Jack Streicher; and her cousin and close friend, Roberta Balfus. The family wishes to thank the caretakers who made it possible for Barb to live at home as long as she did, with special mention of Nicole, Linda, and Jasmine, and the many nurses and aides who cared for her. The family also thanks the doctors who saved her life on more than one occasion, including, most recently, Dr. Ghassan Koussa. To the front-line nurses at St. Elizabeth and St. Luke's hospitals, you are heroes. Special thanks to Dr. Amy Gorzynski, who for more than 20 years helped our mother lead a life that was not only well-lived but also on her own terms. Dr. G., there aren't enough words to thank you for all that you did for our mom. Donations in Barb's memory may be made to the Humane Society of Rome (NY) or the Utica Zoo. Barb and Kim co-wrote this obituary and, of course, Barb edited it from her hospital bed. She wanted to tell her children how grateful she was for their loving care, and she thanked her daughters and their husbands for their homemade "Gourmet Meals on Wheels." After our father died, Mom created a list of "Buddy-isms" – the funny and quirky things he was known for or would often say. We will now start our list of "Mom-isms." The family will observe a private graveside service for Barb. Arrangements have been entrusted to Mark C. Bentz Funeral Service in New Hartford. Condolences may be posted to bentzfuneralhomes.com. May Barb rest in peace. May her memory be a blessing.
Date of Passing: June 6th, 2020
leave a condolence read condolences
Donations in Barb’s memory may be made to the Humane Society of Rome (NY) or the Utica Zoo.
Our mom, grandmother, and friend, Barbara Lambert, ended her adventures on Earth on June 6, 2020. She had turned 87 a few days earlier, a milestone that she celebrated with her children via FaceTime. Barb was born on June 2, 1933 in Syracuse, NY, the daughter of the late Jerry and Rose (Klein) Streicher. Owing to Jerry's profession in the retail shoe business, the Streicher family moved often, living in Kansas City, MO, Newark, NJ, New York City, and Rochester, NY before settling in Utica in 1940. Barb graduated from Utica Free Academy in 1951, and in 1955 she graduated from Syracuse University, where she majored in sociology and minored in Russian studies. Although she originally planned to continue her dual major at Yale after graduation, she chose instead to marry Philip "Buddy" Lambert on June 19, 1955 in Utica. Barb and Buddy were married 52 years until Buddy's passing on August 12, 2007. The couple lived in Fayetteville, NY until 1962, when they and their four children (Kim, Ross, Alan, Holley) moved to New Hartford. Barb enrolled at Utica College as a part-time student in 1966, and received her Master's degree in Elementary Education in 1971. She served as a corrective reading teacher in the New Hartford and Utica school districts as well as a GED instructor in New Hartford before being named the first Curator of Education at the Utica Zoo in 1973, a position she held until her retirement in 1987. Whole generations of school children knew her as "The Zoo Lady" as she traveled from classroom to classroom throughout Oneida County presenting curriculum-coordinated lessons to go along with four handleable zoo animals (including the ever-popular boa constrictor, Pretzel). All of the Lamberts shared Barb's dedication to the zoo, washing donated lettuce in the family driveway, providing visitors with Ry-Krisp crackers to feed to the animals, and staffing various booths during annual Zoo Fairs. In addition, Barb and Buddy spent many a late night laying out the Zootica newsletter by hand. It was truly a family community-service effort. Following retirement from the zoo, Barb served as a substitute teacher for the Utica City School District, a citizenship teacher at the BOCES ACCESS Center in Utica, and a volunteer reading tutor at Jones Elementary School in Utica. She was a volunteer proofreader for Utica College, carefully combing through draft Pioneer alumni magazines with an editor's keen eye, and she served as the copy editor for an instructional book on furniture refinishing written by her friend, Marge Van Slyke. Barb also enjoyed volunteering at the Lutheran Home with her therapy dog, Jenny, a rescue dog she adopted from the Rome Humane Society. Barb greatly enjoyed reading, doing New York Times crossword puzzles, watching SU men's basketball games, flower and vegetable gardening, knitting, and, when she was able, cross-country skiing. She enjoyed watching movies and attending theatrical performances, especially musicals, and often talked about Broadway productions that her parents took her to as a child. She shared an interest in genealogy with her son-in-law, Ted O'Bryan, and together they created family histories for the Lambert, Streicher, and Klein families. Barb was a consummate teacher and a rabid proofreader who delighted in catching grammatical errors in newspapers and magazines. She enjoyed creating humorous poems to celebrate special occasions. The poem that she wrote for her own 80th birthday included this line: "Before I was 30, I was mothering four Or five (counting Buddy) – oh well, what was one more?" Finally, although she would deny it, Barb ably channeled Buddy's love of puns, a "skill" that lives on in her children. Barb was truly a kind person who had an amazing sense of fairness; she once left a coin on top of a parking meter when winter ice blocked the slot. She was generous, thanking those who helped her over the years with home-baked goodies, gift cards to favorite restaurants, and for a few lucky people, hand-knitted afghans. She was immensely proud of her family's accomplishments, and kept numerous scrapbooks documenting their success stories. She was interesting and interested until the end. In the last eight years of her life, Barb experienced a number of significant health issues, many life-threatening. Through it all, she maintained extraordinary grace, deep gratitude for those who cared for her, and most of all, a delightful sense of humor. About a week before she passed away, Barb tested positive for COVID-19. While her condition was miraculously improving, it was a previous illness that claimed her life. Whether it was strength or sheer stubbornness, she fought hard, and for that the family is in awe. Barb is survived by her daughter, Kim Lambert (William Wheatley); son, Alan Lambert; daughter, Holley O'Bryan (Ted); grandchildren Randy Lambert and Kimberley Goodman and their mother, Kelley Kelley; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins with special mention of Jerry and Barb Klein, Karen Allen, Bonnie Brown, and Judy Graham. She is also survived by her beloved kitty, Abby. In addition to her parents, Barb was predeceased by her husband, Buddy; son, Ross; brother, Sydney Streicher; nephew, Jack Streicher; and her cousin and close friend, Roberta Balfus. The family wishes to thank the caretakers who made it possible for Barb to live at home as long as she did, with special mention of Nicole, Linda, and Jasmine, and the many nurses and aides who cared for her. The family also thanks the doctors who saved her life on more than one occasion, including, most recently, Dr. Ghassan Koussa. To the front-line nurses at St. Elizabeth and St. Luke's hospitals, you are heroes. Special thanks to Dr. Amy Gorzynski, who for more than 20 years helped our mother lead a life that was not only well-lived but also on her own terms. Dr. G., there aren't enough words to thank you for all that you did for our mom. Donations in Barb's memory may be made to the Humane Society of Rome (NY) or the Utica Zoo. Barb and Kim co-wrote this obituary and, of course, Barb edited it from her hospital bed. She wanted to tell her children how grateful she was for their loving care, and she thanked her daughters and their husbands for their homemade "Gourmet Meals on Wheels." After our father died, Mom created a list of "Buddy-isms" – the funny and quirky things he was known for or would often say. We will now start our list of "Mom-isms." The family will observe a private graveside service for Barb. Arrangements have been entrusted to Mark C. Bentz Funeral Service in New Hartford. Condolences may be posted to bentzfuneralhomes.com. May Barb rest in peace. May her memory be a blessing.
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