BARBARA FISCHLOWITZ-LEONG Obituary

BARBARA PARKER FISCHLOWITZ-LEONG Barbara Parker Fischlowitz-Leong died peacefully at home with family at her side on November 7, 2024, after a courageous battle with pulmonary fibrosis. She graduated from Cleveland High School in St Louis, MO. Always outspoken, she participated in the Selma Alabama March in 1965 protesting the blocking of Black American rights to vote in the Jim Crow South. Barbara attended Elmhurst University in Chicago and after graduation served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Pohnpei and Nukuoro Atoll in Micronesia from 1968-1970, a decision which changed the course of her life. Barbara fell in love with Polynesian culture, loved the Pacific Ocean, and ventured beyond her Midwestern roots. Her leadership skills led to a lengthy career building and serving in non-profit agencies throughout the State of Hawaii. Her joy in life was being part of the community and helping others. In 1971 Barbara made Aliyah, by moving to the State of Israel with her former spouse Merle Fischlowitz. One of her enduring memories was being at a concert with former President David Ben-Gurion in attendance. After returning to the US, she graduated with a master's degree in counseling and education from George Washington University. After a memorable trip to the island of Kaua'i, Barbara followed her heart and moved to Hawaii with her young family and commenced pre-doctoral studies at the University of Hawaii. While raising her children she was recognized as a "Woman of Distinction" in 1982 by the Honolulu County Committee on the Status of Women. Since 1985 she served with the Hawaii Supreme Court Office of Disciplinary Counsel. In 1986 with support from the late Senator Daniel K. Inouye and others in the Democratic Party, Barbara ran for Hawaii State House of Representatives- District 24 and earned 38% of the vote against the Republican incumbent. Not too shabby for a bright, smiling, cute, blonde newcomer to local politics. Thereafter as the Executive Director (ED) for the Epilepsy Foundation of Hawaii, she grew the foundation and expanded staffing to provide more programs for persons with epilepsy. From 1990-1991 Barbara was a planner for the State of Hawaii Department of Health and learned to dance hula with fellow State coworkers. In 1991 she realized a lifelong dream and founded her own non-profit, Assistive Technology Resource Centers of Hawaii. For the remainder of her life she served as ED, following her passion to serve those with disabilities in the ever-changing field of technology. Barbara was a founding member of Congregation Sof Ma'arav, was ED for the Jewish Federation of Hawaii, and involved with Temple Emanu-El and Oahu Jewish Ohana. Her family often gathered for Shabbat and adored her matzah ball soup and charoset recipes during Passover. She was active with the Friends of the East-West Center and East West Center Jefferson Fellows Award Committee. Barbara was a member of Rotary Club of Honolulu, Kahala Sunrise Rotary, was a dedicated host mom for the International Hospitality Center and the US Department of State (USDS). Over the years she hosted dozens of international exchange students and professional fellows, creating new friends across the globe. Barbara was honored by the USDS in Washington DC as a 2016 Outbound Fellow for her collaborative assistive technology projects in Turkey, Armenia, Moldova, and Singapore. Barbara is survived by her loving husband Michael Leong of 32 years; daughter Sara F. Davis, MD, son-in-law James Davis, grandchildren Hannah, Delilah, and Kainoa; stepson Arlen Fischlowitz and his wife Patti, step-granddaughters Elyssa Holzer, Andrea Fischlowitz, their spouses Ben Holzer and Brandon Weiss, and all children Eden, Jude, Felix, and Mika; step-daughter Elodie McCallister and step? grandson Ross McCallister. Barbara was preceded in death by her first spouse Merle Fischlowitz and her son Benjamin P. Fischlowitz. Graveside services were held on November 12, 2024, followed by a shiva memorial service at her home with friends and family in attendance. It was a grand evening of tears and memories, just the way Barbara would have wanted. Mahalo to Malama Ola, Wilson Homecare, and Attention Plus Care during her illness. Donations can be made in her memory to the Hawaii Community Foundation.