Barbara A. Bryant

Barbara A. Bryant, age 87, of Madison, passed away peacefully on Friday, December 29, 2023. She was born on February 2, 1936, in Oak Park, IL to Leslie and Mary (Isaacs) Remley. She attended Irving School in Maywood, Illinois from grade school until the 8^th grade, later attending and graduating from Proviso East High School. Following high school graduation, she attended U.W. Madison where she studied home economics and textiles and later went back to earn her master’s degree in related arts. While at U.W. Madison, she attended summer school in Hawaii for one summer. She was also able to travel to Europe for 12 weeks after college. She taught home economics and science at John Marshall Junior High in Palmetto, CA for two years and then moved back to Illinois where she taught at Proviso West. During this time, she oversaw a Girl’s League and was very influential in many girls’ lives. She moved on to teach home economics and interior design at New Trier High School in Winnetka, Il., where she taught home economics and interior design for three years. During this time, she met her future husband, Bob Bryant. They were married June 27, 1964, in Glen Ellyn, Illinois. Following their marriage, Bob and Barbara moved to Madison where she taught home economics at Monona Grove High School. From there, she transitioned to working at the state of Wisconsin Dept. of Vocational Rehabilitation until her retirement. She taught crafts and created small entrepreneur businesses for individuals with disabilities throughout the state, and she was an advocate for her clients and the program. She also taught Sunday school at the Asbury Methodist Church in Middleton and various other congregations. Barbara was very active in P.E.O. Chapter AX for many years.

Barbara also loved camping trips with her family growing up and loved spending time in nature. She cherished her memories visiting Estes Park, Colorado throughout her life and was known for her “Eagle Eye,” spotting nature and foraging for mushrooms. She spent time in Iowa City on her family’s farm as a child where she and the family continued to gather every year. She found peace at the little Welsh Congregational Church on old man’s creek for the Gymanfa Ganu during annual reunions. She was a troop leader for her children’s Brownies, Girl Scouts, Cub Scouts, and Boy Scouts. She was a big Badger football and basketball fan and enjoyed attending her children and grandchildren’s sporting events.  After her retirement from the state, she was a volunteer at Attic Angels for several years where she helped residents with picnics, flower arrangements, sales, and various other activities. She enjoyed watercolor painting throughout the years. She will be remembered by all for her generosity, boundless love, and kindness. She had the most enduring, comforting, and loving warmth in her always present smile.

Survivors include her three children, Danny (Kimberly) Bryant of Atlanta, GA, Tim (Inga) Bryant of Denver, CO, and Jennifer Bryant of Verona, WI; 10 grandchildren; Kaeli, Braxton, Brody, Alex, Madison, Josh, Jasmine, Abigail, Elle, and Aida; her siblings, Daniel (Nancy) Remley and Rebecca (Chuck) Kraft; brother-in-law, Art Weith: several nieces and nephews; other relatives and friends.

Barbara was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Bob Bryant and her sister-in-law, Lynn Weith.

A Celebration of Barbara’s Life will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, January 5, 2024, at Cress Funeral Home, 3610 Speedway Road in Madison. Visitation will be held from 1:00 p.m. until the time of the service. Online Condolences may be expressed at www.cressfuneralservice.com.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Attic Angels or Agrace Hospice.

Barbara’s family would like to thank Attic Angels, Agrace Hospice, and Dr. Natalie Callander of the Carborne Cancer Center for the care they provided.

Cress Funeral Home & Cremation Service is serving Barbara's family.

3610 Speedway Rd.

Madison, WI 53705

608-238-3434