Barbara Jean Raskin
December 2, 1951 ~ May 31, 2024
Barbara Jean (BJ) Raskin, age 72, passed away May 31, 2024 at Shands at The University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, after a long battle with cancer. She was born in Savannah, Georgia, to Sigo and Rosa Abraham Raskin. She was a proud Gator, earning her BSBA in Accounting in 1973 from the Warrington College of Business at the University of Florida. BJ was a passionate advocate for all people, especially women and children. Experiencing sexism in the workplace early in her career, BJ worked hard to make a path for women in business. “I knew then I had to take my destiny into my own hands and make the business world a better place for myself and other women.” She owned a successful accounting firm, serving over 400 corporate and individual clients. She hired women transitioning financially, domestically and professionally and provided them with on-the-job training in individual tax preparation. In 1986, she was elected chair of the Florida Delegation to the White House Conference on Small Business, where she testified in front of Congress about the issues facing women-owned and small businesses. She served on more than 15 boards for organizations like Miami-Dade County Commission on the Status of Women, the Women’s Chamber of Commerce of Greater Miami, the City of South Miami Commission for Women, and the National Association of Women and Business Owners, among others.
Twenty months ago, BJ met Joan Lyon and tied the knot on April 18, 2024. While their time together was too short, they made up for it with lots of love and laughter. They were each others soulmates.
BJ is survived by her wife, Joan Lyon, many cousins and a large group of longtime friends who adored her.
In lieu of flowers, please remember BJ by sending gifts to the Barbara Jean Raskin, CPA Master’s in Accounting Scholarship – Fund # 022651
Checks payable to UF Foundation – 100 Bryan Hall, PO Box 117150, Gainesville FL 32611– Attn: Alison Law
or The Child Advocacy Center
https://childadvocacycentergainesville.org
Crevasse's Simple Cremation is honored to serve the Raskin family.
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She will be missed.
Barbara Jean and I have been lifelong friends for 55 years. I met Barbara Jean my first day at UF. We became loyal and devoted friends for our lifetime. We were able to share so many memories together. Some were funny moments, some were happy times and some memories were very sad. Barbara Jean is part of me. She will always be a part of me. This is a devastating loss for me as well as anyone who knew her. Rest in peace, dear Barbara Jean. Thank you for all our wonderful years that we shared together.
Happy Trails, dear Barbara Jean. The few times in the last few years we were together it was a pleasure to be with you. I wish I had known what you were going through. I will miss our Facebook messages, cuz. With mush love, Cousin Kenny
In a word Barbara Jean was uncompromising. Yet, she had a wicked sense of humor and wouldn't suffer fools. I still look out my window down the block expecting to she her out and about with her dog chatting with a neighbors or the postman.
She is missed and hopefully she will get to be with her beloved Nancy in the after life.
I’m stunned that my friend has passed.
We shared memories from decades ago.
I am so grateful Barbara found the love of her life and was surrounded in her embrace during her final days.
I met Barbara Jean in 1997. She was my accountant and friend all these years. My condolences to Joan and all Barbara Jean's other friends. She was a joy to know and I am devastated that she is not here on earth with us now. Her memory is a glorious blessing.
It is so very hard to believe Barbara is gone. We have been more than friends for decades. First, having her as our accountant for years and continuing as long time friends. She will be so missed by many, especially her wife, Joan. I know they loved each other dearly and life will never be the same for her. We are so very sorry. Rest in Peace, Barbara. We love you, Rick and Mary Ann.
Farewell dear old friend BJR. I will miss you.
I will always remember you, your great laugh, your always cheerful attitude, and your love of helping people. You never met a problem you couldn't solve, and you taught me much more than accounting solutions in our long friendship, both professional and personal.
Sometimes time and distance are hard on keeping up the communication, and that happened with me and you the last few years.
I regret that I did not know about your illness, and I just discovered your death.
I am so happy that you and Joan had the time together you did. I know how important
was to you.
I am so sorry to hear of Barbara Jeans passing. I have such fond memories of her and her friend ship with myself and Steven Moss. Barbara will be missed by many friend and family. My thoughts and prayers to Joan and her family. Barbara will be truly missed.
Regards.
Garry Moore and family.
Barbara was a wonderful friend and colleague for 30 years. She testified in many of my trials as an expert on business valuation, she did my taxes, and she gave me wise advice. Every client of Barbara’s became a friend. She was a warm, energetic and compassionate advocate , proud to help advance women’s rights in NAWBO and other organizations. She will be missed by many friends and clients, my family included.