Barbara Cork

Barbara Ann Cork passed away Sunday December 13 after a brief hospitalization. Born on February 13, 1959 in Madison Wisconsin, to Darlene and Arlyan Cork, Barb lived her life in Madison, Sun Prairie and Marshall. While Barb experienced a difficult childhood in which she often lacked for necessities, she grew into a resilient woman of abundant humor, kindness and forgiveness. Raised by her grandparents, Millie and Joseph Brickwell as well the watchful eye of her aunt and uncle, Genevieve and Don Cork, numerous foster  families and caring neighbors, Barb’s sisters, Brandy Harper and Geri Cork, referred to her as “our sunshine.” Nothing inspired more pride or protective mamma bear energy than her two daughters, Deanna Cork and Claire Wisniewski. Barb appreciated the village that assisted her to be the best parent possible.

While family always came first, Barb enjoyed earning a paycheck, having a reliable roof over her head and living with her close friends Lizanne and Cathy with whom she shared a home for eleven years.  Barb worked for several years at Rocky Rococo’s Pizza, Wah Kee Noodles, and Ground Zero Coffee as well as volunteered at Second Harvest. She cared deeply about others, always asking for status updates on people’s parents, spouses and friends often giving people small gifts and trinkets to show her appreciation and gratitude. Barb frequently reminded others to take care of themselves, offering visitors something to eat or if snow threatened, a spot on her couch.  She enjoyed thrifting, grabbing a coffee or coke with friends, sharing family photos, playing mini-golf, day-tripping and telling funny stories with deadpan delivery.

Barb was preceded in death by her grandparents, Mille and Joseph Brickwell, parents Darlene Brickwell and Arlyan Cork and her Aunt Genevieve and Uncle Don Cork. Survivors include her daughters Deanna Cork, and Claire Wisniewski; sisters Geri Cork, and Brandy Harper; brother-in-law Tim Harper; nephews, Jason, Jacob and Joel Plautz; Jeremy Loberger and niece Shada Fitzgerald; friends Cathy and Lizanne as well as a host of support workers at Community Living Connections and Goodwill Industries

Cress Funeral & Cremation Service

3325 E. Washington Ave.

Madison (608) 249-6666

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