Former COBWRA president, teacher, dies at 81

Barbara Katz, the former president of the Coalition of Boynton West Residential Associations who advised women “to get involved and be a part of the solution,” has died at age 81, according to the organization.

A former English teacher in New York and resident of unincorporated Boynton Beach for over

20 years, Katz initiated the Safety and Security Committee, the Presidents’ Forum and a number of other accomplishments for COBWRA.

“It is with much sadness that we inform you of the passing of COBWRA Past President and long-time friend of COBWRA, Barbara Katz,” the organization’s board wrote in an email. “Barbara served as President from

2006-2009 and remained active in COBWRA until her passing on Sunday, January 27.”

Katz served as president of COBWRA from 2006 to 2009 and served on the Palm Beach County Land Development Regulation Advisory Board.

“Barbara was definitely a leader that we all could love and respect,” said Phil Barlage, COBWRA’s current president. “She led the organization for three terms at COBWRA and had many accomplishments. One of the main reasons why I’m the current president is because of Barbara. She has been with me ever since I’ve been part of this organization.

“If she were here today, I could only say to her how much I appreciate everything that she has given the organization and the guidance that she has given me over the years and we all will miss her very, very much,” he said.

A 2015 Sun Sentinel article called Katz one of four women who changed the face of West Boynton.

Palm Beach County Commissioner Dave Kerner’s district includes areas west of Boynton Beach and he worked with Katz on a number of issues, eventually developing a close personal relationship with her.

“Barbara and I met about six years ago when I first entered office as a state legislator in 2012, and it began as a sincere friendship and over time she sort of turned into a grandmother for me,” he said. “We worked on my campaign together, and when I say ‘work,’ I mean she worked like you wouldn’t believe and just was so passionate about my work and bringing youthful leaders up into the ranks, and we just had a very deep and sincere relationship.”

He said Katz made so many contributions to the community it was difficult to judge which were most impactful.

“She was a force, not just in West Boynton, but I would say throughout the county,” Kerner said. “She was the former president of COBWRA, she always remained very much involved in COBWRA after she was president, she remained involved in many elected officials’ lives and their campaigns. She served as my representative on the zoning commission, which is a very big job and just fostered real and genuine relationships and was able to affect public policy because of her kind heart and dedication to the community.”

Visit Legcy.co/2SdmHDZ to sign Katz’s guest book.

COBWRA/COURTESY Barbara Katz, front row, far left, sits with other former COBWRA presidents Dagmar Brahs, center, and Sandra Greenberg, and, from left, Stuart Caine, Lewis Doctor and Ken Lassiter in the back row.