Barbara Yarn Rosenberg, 87, popular Atlanta actress

By Rick Badie

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Barbara Yarn Rosenberg was a popular Atlanta actress in 1947 when she drew the lead role in the theatrical production of "My Sister Eileen."

Although just 23, she was described in a local newspaper account as a veteran of the theater. For four nights, she portrayed Eileen, one of two sisters who moved from Ohio to New York's Greenwich Village to pursue her dreams. Her character was the pretty one, an aspiring actress; her sister, Ruth, was the witty one, hoping to become a writer. Fame and fortune eluded them.

Mrs. Rosenberg held lead roles in several theater guild shows and acted in more than 200 productions. She also had leads in guild plays and productions presented at the University of Georgia, where she studied journalism.

"Mom was a natural at it," said a daughter, Susie Fischer of Marietta. "I am sure she had the best stage presence anybody could have, and with her personality she was one of the funniest, wittiest people to be around."

On Thursday, Barbara Yarn Rosenberg died of heart failure at Metropolitan Hospice in Marietta. She was 87. A memorial service was held Sunday at H.M. Patterson & Son, Spring Hill chapel, which handled arrangements.

She was born in Atlanta and graduated from Old Girls High School. She attended UGA, but never earned her degree because she eloped in 1946 to marry Atlanta native Leman L. Rosenberg, her husband of 62 years. He died nearly three years ago.

Mrs. Rosenberg pursued acting for four years, in her mid-20s, but eventually left the profession when she married and became a mother. She had traveled abroad to entertain the troops as a dancer during World War II.

She never played sports in high school or college but had athletic ability said a son, Leman "Buz" Rosenberg of Neptune Beach, Fla., a former UGA football player. Mrs. Rosenberg was an excellent golfer who won the women's championship one year at The Standard Club in Johns Creek.

"She was the best athlete I've ever known, and I know a little something about sports," Buz Rosenberg said. "I remember when I was 16 and she asked me to help her bring up a sofa from downstairs. I had to put it down. She didn't. She had pure strength and was extremely fast."

Additional survivors include daughter Nancy Rosenberg of Fernandina Beach, Fla., brother Dr. Charles Yarn of  Huntsville, Ala., five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.