Barbara Sandek was born in Boston, Massachusetts to Aaron and Sarah Andrew, the third of
four children. She is predeceased by her beloved sister Laura (Morris) and brother Herbert
(Lillian). Her parents were immigrants from the Ukraine, having arrived in the United States in
the early 1920’s. They were the proprietors of Andrew’s Pharmacy, on Myrtle Street in the
Beacon Hill area of Boston.
Although Barbara always had fond memories and love for the people and places in Boston, she
made her way to New York City at the tender age of 18, became, and remained, a New Yorker
for the rest of her life. As her younger sister Arlene remarked: we all knew she’d become a New
Yorker when she became a Yankees fan. (Although her becoming a Yankees fan may have had
less to do with New York, and more to do with a certain admiration for Derek Jeter).
Derek Jeter notwithstanding, her endless vitality, talent, love of theater and theater people made
her a perfect fit for New York. After several years as a single working woman in the city, she
eventually met and fell in love with Lawrence Sandek, and soon became his wife and mother to
his child, India. Daughters Jessica, then Lydia soon followed.
Everyone that met her was drawn to her. In her prime, which lasted for about 85 years, her
liveliness, dancing black eyes and beauty drew people to her. Her open throated, lyric alto
laughter was a trademark, allowing actors on stage to feel encouraged and appreciated by their
discerning friend with a great sense of humor.
Barbara began acting and singing on stage in Nyack at Elmwood Community Playhouse.
Eventually, she found work as a performer beyond Nyack first with Judson Poet’s Theater in
Greenwich Village, and then onto various regional theaters as an Equity actress. She closed out
her career “behind the scenes'” as a successful marketing director for TheaterWorksUSA
Children’s Theater.
In addition to her dedication to the theater, she had strong social and political convictions which
influenced her family and friends. When she wasn’t involved in theatrical productions she lent
her time and propitious use of the telephone to local politicians and causes.
Barbara Sandek loved her family deeply, and always managed to show up in creative and loving
ways whether for celebratory events or crises.
Along with countless admirers, she is survived by her sister Arlene, daughters Jessica Sandek
(James Helmuth), Lydia Leizman (Jon Leizman), grandchildren Sam Hallman, Daniel Hallman,
Seth Leizman (Kaitlin Murdock), and Jacob Leizman (Lily Goldstein).