Toby S. Bornstein

Toby Sampson Bornstein, 83, formerly of Moonstone Beach Road, Wakefield, RI, died December 30, 2009 in Danbury, CT. Born in Chicago, IL, she was the daughter of the late Archie and Mary (Lehrman) Sampson. She entered the University of Chicago at the age of 16, received a BA in Psychology in 1948, married Harold D. Bornstein Jr. of Brookline MA after graduation, and moved to New Haven CT. She received an MA in Education from Yale University in 1951. Her marriage ended in divorce in 1967. Ms. Bornstein was a master gardener and excellent cook, a social activist and avid reader, and, above all, a gifted artist and sculptor who worked primarily in wood. She spent a year as artist in residence at Yale University’s School of Art and Architecture, and exhibited her work in individual and collective shows in New York, New Haven, and Wakefield. She was a founding member of the Hera Gallery in Wakefield. Ms. Bornstein was preceded in death by her brother, Richard Sampson, and by her dear friend Caroline (Kay) Hearn. She is survived by three sons – Daniel Bornstein and his wife Jane of St. Louis, MO; Stephen Bornstein of Key West, FL; and Peter Bornstein and his wife Amy Deveau of Ridgefield, CT and Manhattan; two grandchildren, Laura Bornstein and Sage Bornstein; her sister-in-law Honey Sampson; and four nephews, Jeff Sampson, Randy Sampson, Robbie Sampson, and Jerry Sampson and their families. A graveside ceremony was held January 3, 2010 in New Fernwood Cemetery, Kingston RI. Donations in her memory can be made to Hera Educational Foundation, P.O. Box 336, Wakefield RI 02880 or online at www.heragallery.org.