Barbara Grossberg, who with her late husband Henry Grossberg co-founded the Delmar Gardens Nursing Centers in 1965, died Friday, July 11, 2008. She was 81 years of age and a resident of Chesterfield.

Mrs. Grossberg was born Bonika Rothman in Hungary. She was a survivor of the Auschwitz, Bergen-Belsen and Dachau Nazi concentration camps.

According to an obituary article by Denice M. Santangelo in the July 18 edition of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Mrs. Grossberg, at 13 was separated from her parents by the Nazis, and sent to concentration and work camps, ending up at Dachau. Her report adds that after Dachau was liberated in 1945, she went back alone at age 16 to Hungary, her parents having perished during the Holocaust. She later met and married her husband Henry Grossberg. After the 1956 Hungarian revolution, she and her family fled to Vienna, where they stayed for a year before coming to America and settling in University City. Santangelo reports that Mrs. Grossberg learned English and soon was caring for older residents in the neighborhood.

Mrs. Grossberg’s interest in caring for the elderly eventually led to her and her husband becoming involved with establishing and running Delmar Gardens.

In 2007, Mrs. Grossberg, then chairman of Delmar Gardens and her son, Gabe Grossberg of Ladue, president and chief executive officer, were named Business People of the Year 2007 by the South County Chamber of Commerce. She also received the Women of Worth OWL Award, The Voice of Midlife and Older Women in 1999.

Her late husband, Henry Grossberg was a World War II veteran. Ruth Sirko, vice president of marketing at Delmar Gardens Enterprises, said, “Barbara and Henry Grossberg came to America to find freedom, and began caring for others, namely the elderly. The Grossbergs joined forces with Yetra and the late Israel Goldberg and began to build a tradition of excellence in skilled nursing care which has yet to be exceeded.”

Henry Grossberg died on Nov. 29, 2001. The couple were active members of Tpheris Israel Chevra Kadisha synagogue.

Delmar Gardens began with its first facility in 1965, and now includes numerous skilled nursing facilities and retirment communities, as well as home health agencies, and hospice agencies, private services and durable medical equipment, in five states.

Sirko added, “Barbara and Henry made major contributions to skilled nursing care and retirement living. Their dedication and devotion to caring for the elderly goes far beyond the beauty of each Delmar Gardens’ nursing center and retirement community. It is reflected in the care that is provided, in the warmth of the professional staff, and in the services and amenities that are offered to residents.”

Sirko continued, “Barbara and Henry instilled a feeling of family and love into each new facility, and each new employee. Their philosophy of love, care and understanding is the basis for Delmar Gardens’ success. It is the ingredient that has set the company apart from the rest and created the tremendous growth and success that Delmar Gardens has enjoyed since 1965.”

Barbara and Henry Grossberg received numerous national awards and recognition for their innovative concepts, imaginative ideas, and major accomplishments in the field of skilled nursing care. “Their guiding principles are reflected in our Mission Statement,” Sirko said.

“Delmar Gardens Enterprises is guided by a tradition of providing the highest quality care with sensitivity and dignity to the senior population. Since 1965, the Delmar Gardens Family has responded to the needs of the elderly by providing beautiful physical environments strong emotional security, intellectual stimulation, and warm companionship with the highest respect for privacy, dignity and independence. Our ever-present philosophy of love, care and understanding reflect Barbara’s and Henry’s deep commitment and dedication to the elderly.”

Barbara Grossberg was the widow of Henry Grossberg, who died Nov. 29, 2001; mother and mother-in-law of Dr. George (Darla) Grossberg and Gabe Grossberg; grandmother of Jonathan, Anna, Leah, Aviva, Aliza, and Jeremy Grossberg; Nikki and Jess Grossberg; sister and sister-in-law of Sanyi (Leah) Rothman, the latter of Holon, Israel.

Funeral services were held Sunday, July 13, 2008 at Berger Memorial Chapel. Burial was at Chesed Shel Emeth Cemtetery on White Road.

Memorial contributions may be made to Tpheris Israel Chevra Kadisha Synagogue, 14550 Ladue Road, Chesterfield, Mo. 63017.