Barbara Lurie

LURIE, Bobbie, age 83, of Springfield, MO, passed away on February 26, 2014. Bobbie was born in Atlanta, GA, grew up in Tampa, FL and attended the University of Florida studying education. Bobbie was a mother, an artist, a community activist and a politician. She is survived by her son, David Lurie of Kansas City, MO, daughter and son-in-law, Loretta Lurie and Peter Bornstein and their daughter, Sydney of Brooklyn, NY and her sister, Doris Rosenblatt of Tampa. As an artist she has shown in Watercolor USA, the Ozark Empire Fair Art Competition where she received Best in Show, City Competition at the Springfield Art Museum receiving Best in Show, and College of the Ozarks where she received first in show and hangs in the permanent collection. As a community activist she was a member of the Springfield Visual Arts Alliance, the KOZK Art Chairperson, a member of the Broadway Theatre League Board of Directors and a member of the Springfield Art Museum. But Bobbie's great love was politics where most recently Bobbie served as chairman of the 138th Legislative District. On a local level she has served as the 7th Congressional District Chairperson, the Jackson Day Committee Chairperson, Green County Central Committee Executive Committee and an Executive Committee Member of the Missouri Democratic Committee. Since 1956, Bobbie has been involved in helping Missouri elect strong Democratic politicians beginning with Charlie Brown's successful bid for the 7th Congressional District. Since then she has worked for several campaigns including Senator Tom Eagleton, Bob Holden's runs for State Treasurer and Governor, Mel Carnahan for Governor Committee and for the Senate, Jean Carnahan for Senate, several Presidential campaigns and Claire McCaskill's bid for State Auditor, Governor and most recently the Senate. Her political activities went well beyond campaigns as she was a charter member and a board member of the National Jewish Democratic Council, a member of the Democratic National Committee, the National Rules Committee and the National Platform Committee during the Carter campaign. For her political work, Bobbie has been recognized with a Lifetime Achievement award from the Missouri State Democratic Committee, the Howard Hannah Meritorious Service Award, and the Democratic Alliance Distinguished Service Award. Bobbie has been a fixture at the Green County Central Democratic Committee office where she has given her time and energy tirelessly over the past few decades. She was also a leading force in securing a permanent home for the committee and was dedicated to getting it paid off as quickly as possible. Graveside services will be held on Thursday, February 28, 3:00pm at Beth Israel Cemetery, 600 W. Indiana Ave, Tampa, FL 33603. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Green County Democratic Headquarters, 1764 S Fremont Ave, Springfield, MO 65804 or to Temple Israel, 5910 S Farm Road 193, Rogersville, MO 65742 or Congregation Rodeph Sholom Cemetery Fund, 2713 Bayshore Boulevard, Tampa, FL 33629.