Barbara J. Cordi

Barbara J. (Monkovich) Cordi, 87, of Vestal went to be with the Lord on Sunday, October 6, 2024. She was born on December 12, 1936 at Wilson Memorial Hospital to Susan and John Monkovich. She is predeceased by her husband Vincent, her parents, her beloved niece Lori Layton, cousins George Monkovich and John Lopez, sister-in-law Beverly Cordi as well as many aunts, uncles and cousins.
She is survived by her children Vince Jr. (Joelle), Marie, Michael and John (Amy) and grandchildren Samantha, Skylar, Ryan, Nicholas, Michael, Tyler (Alexis) and great grandchild Emily. She is also survived by her sisters Bonita (Les) Layton and Joy (Chuck) Yonko and brother-in-law Louis Cordi.
Barbara never had an unkind word for anyone and always put the interests of others above her own. She will be dearly missed, and never forgotten, by her children, grandchildren, and all that were fortunate enough to know and love her for her kind, compassionate and gentle heart.
She grew up on the north side of Johnson City and graduated from JCHS in 1955. She always felt so lucky to have grown up there because she could walk anywhere – to school, church, the library, Main Street, and CFJ Park with its playground, merry-go-round, the huge swimming pool, tennis courts and snack shack. She enjoyed shopping, the theater and the Triplets ballpark, which was right down the street from her home, or catching the bus on the corner to go into Binghamton.
She had fond memories of her first jobs while in high school whether it was babysitting, working at the EJ Farmers Market in JC, Woolworths, and the Federal Bake Shop on Court St.
She cherished her life-long friendships from childhood and always felt so fortunate and happy to meet with them well into her eighties at their monthly lunches.
After graduating, she worked at IBM Endicott while Vincent finished his education at Oklahoma State. Once her children were older, she worked part-time in retail at Burts in Endicott, Britts in Vestal, Rite Aid and Fays.
Barbara was baptized, confirmed and married all at St. Anne’s (now Blessed Trinity) where she enjoyed singing in the choir. After moving to Vestal, she and Vincent were founding members of St. Vincent DePaul Church where she volunteered at many funeral dinners.
Her first priority was family. She loved them dearly and enjoyed her children’s and grandchildren’s sports events and academic achievements. She enjoyed traveling and visiting new places. She had special memories of trips to California, Florida, Ohio, Pennsylvania and family vacations at the beaches in NJ. Her most exciting and informative trip was to the old country, Czechoslovakia and Austria, with her mother and sister Bonnie.
Barbara and the family would like to thank all of her caregivers for their dedication, companionship and for taking such good care of her in her latter days, especially Debbie, Tammy, Liza, Carol, Sharon, Kelly, Esther, Wendy, Denise, Jennifer, Keyarah and Darcie.
In lieu of flowers, consider a donation to the Rett Syndrome Research Trust on their website at Reverserett.org.
The family will receive friends at the Allen Memorial Home, 511-513 East Main Street, Endicott, Monday, October 14th from 4-6 p.m. A Funeral Mass will be offered at St. Vincent De Paul Blessed Sacrament Church, 465 Clubhouse Rd, Vestal, Tuesday, October 15th at 10 a.m. Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery, Johnson City.