Barbara Lois Pitts

Local philanthropist and Palm Springs pioneer, Barbara Pitts, died peacefully on September 13, 2021, and was laid to rest two days later. Her 96 years on this earth were a blessing to this community.
Born on July 10, 1925, in Detroit, Michigan to Dr. Samuel and Florence Eder, Barbara attended the University of Michigan, graduating with honors earning a BA in speech pathology. During a 1947 visit to Palm Springs, she met Zachary Pitts at a Frank Sinatra benefit performance for what was to become Temple Isaiah. One week later they were engaged, and she became his beloved wife until his death 49 years later. Together they helped establish several institutions in the desert including Temple Isaiah and the Jewish Federation. They were members of Tamarisk Country Club and the Racquet Club and instrumental in countless local civic and philanthropic organizations.
Barbara was a true leader who believed in giving back, serving as president of numerous community organizations including the Board of Trustees of the Palm Springs Art Museum, Palm Springs Friends of Philharmonic, World Affairs Council of the Desert, WAIF, American Field Service, Cahuilla School PTA, the Council of PTA Presidents, Temple Isaiah Sisterhood, the Women's Division of the Jewish Federation of Palm Springs, and Jewish Family Service of the Desert. Through the years she served on a multitude of boards and as a Palm Springs Art Museum docent and Desert Hospital volunteer. Counted among her many honors was the Athena Award for humanitarianism, the University of Judaism Eternal Light Award, and the Anti-Defamation League Award as co-honoree with Tony Award winner, Hal Linden.
She was not only a pillar of the community but a loving and involved mother to her son Larry and his wife, Cathy, her grandchildren Sara (Ari), Michael, and Joshua (Sarah) and great grandmother to Zoey, Zachary, Max, and Chloe. She left to them her wonderful legacy.
Barbara was able to spend her final years in the comfort of her own home thanks to the loving care of Leonida, Charlie, Imelda, Maggie, Pat, and Eileen.