Teacher's death will be community's loss

LEGACY-Barbara Alaynick, pictured here with her sons, from left, Jeremy and Bryan, was a treasured member of the community, a teacher in Las Virgenes Unified School District for 29 years, a mother, a friend. She lost her two-year battle with breast cancer in February of this year. A mother of two, a sister to three, a lifelong friend of many and a venerated teacher of probably 1,000 children, Barbara Alaynick left a legacy of love, laughter and learning that will long be remembered by everyone who knew and loved her.

Alaynick taught elementary and middle school language arts and social sciences in the Las Virgenes Unified School District (LVUSD) for 29 years. Alaynick died in February after a two-year battle with breast cancer, but her friends and family are dedicated to keeping her spirit alive.

"Barbara put the word 'special' into special events," said Debbie Edelston, Alaynick's sister. "She was witty, enthusiastic and creative in everything she did."

Edelston said her sister often hosted birthday parties for friends and colleagues that were meaningful and deeply personal. And for their mother's 70th birthday, Alaynick hosted a Shabbat dinner for 30 family members and friends.

"This was especially meaningful as our mom (was) recently bat mitzvahed as an adult," Edelston explained.

For 14 years, Alaynick taught at A.E. Wright Middle School in Calabasas, and for 11 years at Sumac Elementary School in Agoura Hills before she returned to A.E. Wright for another four years.

"Barbara had more friends, really good, close friends then anyone I know," said John Edelston, Alaynick's brother-in-law, who serves on the Agoura Hills City Council.

Alaynick was part of a tight circle of nine women who had been friends since high school- more than 35 years. The friends have been meeting over dinner once a month for the last 20 years, and have celebrated-and grieved-over life's big events from weddings and births to divorce and deaths. But they say what they remember most about Alaynick are the thousands of little memories, the telltale moments of a woman who exemplified the meaning of friendship.

Many of the memories revolve around traveling.

Sharon Seigel recalled their trip to Canada. "It was a beautiful time in Stanley Park before she got sick," she said.

Seigel spoke for the longstanding group when it came to recounting treasured memories. She said Alaynick visited Palm Desert and "ate junk food" with Marti Marcus, and Royce Minkus watched the sunset with Alaynick after Alaynick's breast cancer was first diagnosed. Bonnie Eichen, who referred to Alaynick as her "sister," was with her on the day she died, Seigel said.

Alaynick poured her heart and soul into teaching, according to her friends and co-workers.

Roberta Consani, a friend of 30 years, said she "was a great teacher, and just saw the potential in every kid." She said she worked with students who needed remedial help and children who were gifted beyond their years. "(Her) specialty was working with students with learning problems," Consani said. "Her goal was for them to overcome (their problems) and reach grade level and become successful. She did that over and over again."

"My friend Barbara was an avid reader and so insightful," said Joan Stern. "She always made people (and) students feel equal . . . and always had the right words to make a person feel special."

Stern captured her friend's spirit by listing what Alaynick loved most-her sons, Bryan and Jeremy, her family (Alaynick is survived by two sisters and a brother, and their parents, Herbert and Betty), friends, roses, children, teaching, barbecues, and "square dancing with the fourth graders on Western Day . . . .I miss her so much."

"I had the honor of being principal of A.E. Wright when Barbara was a teacher there," said Donald Zimring, LVUSD deputy superintendent. "I knew the first time I stepped into her classroom that there was magic in what she did. She had a way of reaching kids that was all her own. Before I left, I asked her to take over the gifted program.

"It was a controversial move until people found out that she would be the teacher. She proved day in and day out that with the right teacher, every child could succeed," Zimring said.