Barbara Jean Newman, of Safford and daughter of Louis Cordischi and Marilyn Meister Cordischi, was born Feb. 22, 1939, in Amesbury, Mass. On March 16, 2019, in Safford, she passed into eternal life.
She is preceded in death by: her parents; and two brothers, Tony and Billy. She leaves behind: seven children, Gary Ellison, of San Bernardino, California, Cheryl Ellison, of Safford, Kathy Garrett, of Bakersfield, California, Keith Garrett, of Monrovia, California, Leon Garrett, of Surprise, Valerie White, of Conroe, Texas and Tammy Leal, of Bakersfield, California; her siblings, Carolyn Vessels, of Safford, John Cordischi, of Caldwell, Idaho, David Cordischi, of Lowell, Massachusetts, Cynthia Holmes, of Safford, Joe Cordischi, of Torrance, California and Mike Zagranis, of New Hampshire; numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren; her two cats, Socks and Smokey; and many, many friends.
Barbara worked for several years as a certified nurse’s assistant in California, then lived for a short time in Laughlin, Nev., working as a gift shop cashier. Moving to Safford in 2005, she got a job as a bagger at Thriftee, from where she retired in 2017. She was a friendly person with a great sense of humor and made friends easily. Her family and friends meant everything to her.
Some of Barbara’s favorite things were kibitzing with St. Rose of Lima’s former pastors, Fr. Ariel and Fr. Robert; coffee with friends, throwing Halloween parties with outlandish costumes; Elvis Presley; family game nights and Sunday dinners with her sisters and daughter Cheryl.
A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial for Barb is currently pending and will be announced at a later date.
Online condolences may be offered at www.viningfuneralhome.com
Arrangements are entrusted to Vining Funeral Home.
