Getting to Know Our Neighbors - Barbara Seixas

By Pat Hurleigh

Earlier this week, I had a visit with longtime neighbor Barbara Schreiber Seixas. Barbara was born on July 1, 1931 in the house she still lives in on Sagamore Avenue. The house was built by her father William Schreiber and his brother John. Barbara and her husband, Cliff, raised 3 children in that house. When Cliff passed away in 1993 Barbara continued to live there.

When Barbara graduated as an 8th grader from Northside School, she finished her education at Mineola High School graduating in June 1954. She went to Mineola because there was no Wheatley High School at the time. She had to choose between Roslyn and Mineola. She picked Mineola because that’s where her mother had gone. She then followed in her parents footsteps working for the LIRR in July of1954 and worked on the Oyster Bay Branch for 31 years, finishing as the sales person in the ticket window in East Williston.

Barbara was the first volunteer member of the Town of North Hempstead Animal Shelter and could always be found with a well- behaved dog following after her. She is fondly known by her neighbors as “the dog lady”. Barbara also enjoys silk flower arranging and loved to participate in craft fairs.

Barbara has a fish pond, as well as many beautiful garden plants and numerous bird houses, all of which are currently occupied. Even the birds know they are welcome to stop by for a visit.

Barbara shared that talent for gardening and arranging with the village on the Beautification Committee.

Barbara thinks that East Williston is a wonderful place to raise a family and she marvels at how the village has changed from the 6 houses on Sagamore Avenue that were there when she was born, to the busy street that it is today.

Her mother liked to say that Barbara was happiest when she had dirt under her nails. When I showed up to visit Barbara that day, Barbara and her aide, Eva, were busy potting bright red geraniums. You can usually find Barbara outside enjoying her garden and backyard and I often see her entertaining her numerous friends who stop by to chat.

Thank you, Barbara, for your friendliness and caring to both the animals and humans who have come to know you.