“A life with love is a life that’s been lived.”

Barbara Kormanik, nee Michaelis, passed away quietly at home surrounded by love on May 4, 2017, following a brief illness. She is survived by her four children: Barbara Jean (“B.J.”), Patty, John and Glen, and five grandchildren Kyle, Allie, Alyssa, James and Jessie. She is also survived by her brother Martin “Buddy” and kid sister Susan “Susie,” and numerous nieces, nephews. She is predeceased by her husband John, her parents Martin and Anastasia “Nellie” Michaelis, and her sister Irene.

Barbara was born on October 16, 1934. She graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School in Brooklyn, N.Y. and went on to graduate from St. Luke’s Nursing School in 1956 which was a big year as that was the same year she married the “really handsome”…those were her words… John Kormanik.

After taking time off to raise her children, Barbara returned to work as a Registered Nurse at Hackensack Medical Center. After John’s passing in 1977, Barbara continued to work but was always there for her children acting as a mother, father, counselor, and confidant. She retired from Hackensack in 2000 having made many friends and mentored many-a-nurse and, for that matter, physician.

If you asked Barbara where her favorite place was, she would answer without hesitation: Long Beach Island. If you asked her what her favorite food was, she would answer, again, without hesitation: “the white stuff” clam chowder from The Chowder Hut, in Beach Haven. If you asked her what her favorite thing to do was she would answer, you guessed it, without hesitation: spending time with her children and grandchildren.

Barbara traveled the world with her children and grandchildren, from the entire eastern seaboard of the United States to tropical islands in the Caribbean to rainy London, England, to snowy Yellowstone National Park. She was as joyful camping in a tent on the rim of the Grand Canyon as she was in a resort in Puerto Rico.

Barbara had a wonderful life and her family hopes to see the world as she did, with love, humor and joy.

The Funeral Service will be held Wednesday, 11:00 AM at St. Elizabeth’s Episcopal Church, 169 Fairmount Rd., Ridgewood, followed by interment in George Washington Memorial Park, Paramus. Visiting hours Tuesday 2:00 – 4:00 PM and 7:00 – 9:00 PM at the Feeney Funeral Home, 232 Franklin Ave, Ridgewood.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to any nursing scholarship at Alice Lloyd College, Pippa Passes, KY. The education of nurses who serve in under-privileged area of Appalachia was a cause that was important to Barbara.

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