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Barbara “Barb” Cordle (née Wolcott) passed away on March 12th, 2020, in St. Petersburg, Florida, at 80 years of age. 

Barb is survived by her children, Anthony “Tony” Cordle and Randolph “Randy” Cordle; siblings, Dorothy Lyczak (née Wolcott) and Dennis Wolcott; grandchildren, Aaron Cordle, Amanda Cordle, Nicole Cordle, Anthony Cordle, Ryan Cordle, Farrah Cordle, and Georgio Chacon; nieces and nephews, Cinda Torregrossa (née Carey), DeAnna Fowler (née Borton), Chaz Wolcott, Jeff Wolcott, Greg Wolcott, Teresa Ward (née Wolcott) and David Wolcott. 

Barb was preceded in death by siblings, William “Billy” Wolcott and Ritchie “Buzz” Wolcott and her parents, Rhea Aline Richards (née Hans) and Richard Wolcott.  She will also be rejoining over a hundred of “God’s Children” who died of AIDS in her motherly loving arms at Pater Noster (Our Father’s) House in Columbus, Ohio. She was married for many years to Ollie “Tony” Cordle (deceased).

Barb Cordle was born on October 1st, 1939, in Akron, Ohio. The oldest of five children, Barb developed a nurturing, selfless manner as she helped her single mother raise her younger siblings.  At age 9, Barb selflessly saved a younger brother by pushing him to safety before being run over herself and dragged a long distance by a dump truck full of steel. Barb spent over a year in the hospital and had dozens of surgeries, but was losing her battle to save a leg due to continually worsening infection. To the amazement of her treating physicians, who later claimed there was no medical explanation for her sudden improvement, Barb’s leg, although scared, finally healed. Through the Grace of God, her unwavering belief in the power of prayer, and Holy Water, she secretly sprinkled on the festering wounds during painful dressing changes, her infection disappeared, and her skin grafts finally “stuck.” 

During an early surgical resuscitation, she was pronounced dead. However, Barb then was revived with a startle after leaving the “Great Light” encompassing her, and “Knowing God” in a way she could never fully explain except by repeating, “It was Love.” During this experience she could see her resuscitation, but felt no fear. Barb remembered hearing, “Your work is not done” before suddenly becoming reunited with her earthly body. From that day forward, she never feared death or meeting, Christ, “again.” When reflecting on her life, however, she did always say, “I hope He has a sense of humor.” Barb’s survival and subsequent healing was never counted as an “official” miracle but was described as such by her treating physicians. 

God had a plan for Barb to fulfill in the hour of His choosing. Still, it would be decades before He would illuminate her true vocation.  

Barb graduated from St. Mary of the Springs Catholic High School, Columbus, Ohio, in 1957. She was referred to by one of her closest friends, who later became a Catholic Missionary Priest, as one of the Three Musketeers. One of the other Musketeers became a Dominican Sister, and Barb became a Discalced Carmelite in The Order of the Discalced Carmelites of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel. This little known fact surprised no one who knew of it, but most never noticed the scapular worn throughout her adult life and at the moment of her death.  There was no reason to tell people when they need only to witness her actions to know God was working through her.  In Barb’s twilight years, her St. Mary of the Springs Alumnae recognized her for her life of humanitarian outreach.

Subsequently, she graduated from Mt. Carmel School of Nursing, Columbus, Ohio, after being told by an instructor concerned for her future mental health that she might be “too caring” to be a nurse. Barb worked as a nurse in various capacities for years and always wore her heart on her sleeve.  In 1974 a horrible tornado tore through Xenia, Ohio. Barb, without any preparation, joined the relief effort and helped to care for many injured and homeless people without personal concern for her safety.   

Barb was an amazing mother, as well.  While her boys were young, she helped teach at the schools, was a crossing guard, had leadership roles in the PTA, was a Boy Scout Leader, chased drug dealers away from school zones, etc.  Barb also served as the neighborhood pancake breakfast cook-with chocolate chips and specially shaped pancakes, of course.  Her breakfast table was always open and typically crowded, often managing three griddles simultaneously to keep up with the appetite of the neighborhood boys and the occasional brave girl.  When she learned that a group of the boys was skipping high school and hiding out playing Atari, she did not get angry but instead showed up at the door bearing bags of White Castle hamburgers; feed now, and discipline later.  She officiated the “wedding” of two dogs who shocked the neighborhood children with premarital reproductive activities.  She connected with all these youths, many of whom, in their later times of need, sought her comfort and guidance.

As the years progressed, a new vocation called; helping the poor. Barb met a fellow parishioner at St. Cecilia’s Parish in Columbus, Ohio, who was down on his luck and could not find a job, so she responded by praying and ultimately creating, “The Church’s Free Job List.” Through this ministry, she found hundreds, possibly thousands, of people jobs while simultaneously providing for their material and spiritual needs. From the kitchen table and a few old file boxes, she created an expansive network of employers, service providers, and people willing to help when they could by matching willing people with real jobs.

Then in the 1980s, with the onset of the AIDS pandemic, her vocation expanded, and Barb found her true calling; the “Cup” God had prepared for her and which she readily accepted.  Barb loved and cared for thousands of individuals with AIDS.  At this time, these individuals were primarily shunned and feared by others, including much of the medical community.  Barb had no fear, often quoting Deuteronomy 31:8 when confronted, she comforted those afflicted with no concern for own safety. Barb once said, “God told me this is what I am supposed to do.”

Subsequently, the Pater Noster homes were founded.  It was in these homes that Barb comforted the sick and gave dignity to the dying.  The then-controversial LIFE Magazine pictorial found here illustrates AIDS in this period and Barb’s work (http://time.com/3503000/behind-the-picture-the-pho...). Barb’s hand was resting on David Kirby’s, moments before his death; another warrior passed.  It was 1990, and this was a familiar scene for these people who rarely lived for more than a decade with the virus. These photos put a face to AIDS, one that could not be ignored.  Barb was always hands-on, believing in people’s inherent need for touch and connection. It was not uncommon to find her holding an AIDS patient in her arms at the time of their death.

Amazingly, despite unprecedented potential exposure to the then mostly misunderstood HIV, including dozens of needle sticks from highly contagious patients, she never contracted the disease. This remarkable fact led medical researchers to take blood samples over the years to search for what cell or chemical protected her.   She was a realist and preached the scientific principles to prevent exposure, but she knew they were looking in the wrong place to find her shield. 

During this period, when people refused to adopt or foster children with the virus, she accepted them with open arms. More than a few were suddenly a part of her household.  When a national supermarket chain refused to let children with HIV enter their play areas, she accepted the challenge, educated their boards, and helped them write reasonable guidelines. She participated eagerly in writing national legislation, which was later adopted to assure children with HIV could go to school and live fully integrated lives without unwarranted social stigma.  HIV positive children are welcomed in such public settings today in no small part due to the courage Barb showed in confronting the misplaced fears held by influential yet misguided people.  

Over the years, her faith in God and remarkable fearlessness in His name occurred again and again. She walked into crack houses past armed gang members, who guarded the doors, with a dismissive wave of her hand to rescue clients within.  On the way out, she stopped to give the gang members her card, suggesting that they give up their poor choices and see her for help getting their life back in order. In one such case, where the local police had the house under surveillance, they later commented that they were shocked when she just marched up the stairs and through the doors.  The Officer said they would not have attempted entry without a SWAT team for backup. Barb stood toe-to-toe with thugs threatening those she loved.  She helped guide a misinformed health department on HIV prevention practices at a time when they were out of touch with this community.  Barb started a needle exchange program long before it was mainstream or accepted practice. Before the San Francisco program, there was Barb.  Barb asked for forgiveness as a Catholic before putting boxes, actually nearly crates, of condoms out as a practical way to hopefully decrease the transmission of the disease. 

Barb would be the first to admit that she was horrible with finances; she didn’t understand them and didn’t want to. When the money was out, and the bills were due, she would remain upbeat and say, “Don’t worry, God has this.” And true to her belief, God provided time after time.  Once when funds were tight and the Pater Noster transportation had finally broken down, a local Christian charity group arrived at her doorstep.  Their representative said, “We don’t need this wheelchair van any longer, and something told us you could use it.  Could you take it?” Once, someone stopped for directions, at her rural “AIDS House.” After learning of her work, the passerby wrote a donation check for thousands of dollars. The rent was due that day. Too many times to count, with sometimes only hours to spare, a stranger or someone who knew her work would just show up and answer, “Here I am.” Barb died with very few possessions and six dollars and eighteen cents to her name.  On the other hand, she leaves behind too many loved ones to count, precisely reflecting her values and how she would have wanted to go out of this world.

 As evidenced by her incredible works, Barb was an active, devout, and as she would say, “an imperfect member” of the Catholic Church.  Barb always emulated the teachings of St. Theresa of Calcutta, the generosity and desire to help the afflicted of St. Francis of Assisi, and the incomprehensible love of St. Mary, the Mother of Our Savior, Jesus Christ. Barb devoted her entire life as a volunteer to whoever needed her assistance. She was generous to a fault. Once she received a fancy new coat as a Christmas gift.  She wore it out to one of her favorite restaurants, The Spaghetti Warehouse, that very same night.  At the restaurant, Barb excused herself, and when she returned, the coat was not with her.  She had given it to a stranger she saw in the parking lot at the restaurant 10 minutes earlier.  When asked, Barb simply said, “They needed it more,” “could you pass the cheese” or something like that. Most gifts given to Barb were only temporarily in her possession.  She was just a conduit of giving.  Even after death, she demonstrated this unusual trait through partnering with LifeLink of Florida.  She wanted to impact at least one more life, even after death. 

Just one more…

Barb would list her faults, quite readily, but they were trivial on the scale of a life well-lived for the betterment of the individuals around her. She frequently said, “Many want to change the lives of large groups all at once, but I prefer to focus on the individual and make a small change in that person’s life.” She certainly changed many lives, one at a time.  

Due to the Coronavirus pandemic, her memorial service will be on MARCH 11th at 6PM, at St. Cecilia’s Parish on Norton Road, in Columbus, Ohio.  Celebrants will include Father Connolly, (Pastor) and Father Deville, a dear friend and advisor of Barbs.  All are welcome to attend and celebrate Barb’s life. Please add this date to your calendars.  In Honor of Barb, please consider bringing a single red Rose to the service, a symbol so significant in and representative of her life.

She asked that donations be sent to The Saint Vincent de Paul Society: https://www.svdpcolumbus.org/donate

Public Condolences, Stories, and Pictures are much appreciated: https://www.forevermissed.com/barb-jo-cordle/about

Private Condolences: BarbCordleMemorial@nym.hush.com







March 20, 2020
March 20, 2020
To Barb's family, I had the wonderful privilege of working with Barb for several years before she retired. Loved working with her she always had an upbeat attitude and made me laugh on many occasion when times were rough on the job. She was a wonderful compassionate warm loving person and I loved working with her. God has another Angel for sure. What a beautiful tribute to her by her family. I knew of her work with AID's but nothing else mentioned in the tribute she truly was a Saint. My thought's & prayer's are with you all. Gail & Gray Wiley
March 20, 2020
March 20, 2020
What an incredible life full of love and service! This angel on earth is now one in heaven. Our deepest condolences to her family.
Anna and Gerald Hunter
March 20, 2020
March 20, 2020
I'm so sorry to hear about Barb's passing. Her life was fully dedicated to "the least of these". Jennifer Prairie Lovett and I share our deepest condolences. "Well done, good and faithful servant".
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Recent Tributes
March 12
March 12
I can't believe you have been gone for 4 years today Sis. It feels like yesterday we were talking and laughing together. I miss you so much but I know you are in a wonderful place and that you have the biggest and shiniest halo in Heaven. Save me a place near you.. see you soon.
Love, your baby sister (and only sister LOL) Dotty
October 5, 2023
October 5, 2023
Was just remembering something about Mom. No matter how busy she was, if someone came to visit or talk or with a problem she would drop her agenda and attend to the human relationship and person there with her. If you are like me you often would think the visitor is preventing you from getting your important work done. Barb would have said the important work is not the task but instead, the relationship between two members of Christ's Church and the task can wait. I am sure she was right. Seems like yesterday we lost her. I am certain she is in whatever part of heaven has Reece's Cups and Sugar with some Coffee on it in a cup (She would put multiple tablespoons of sugar in a cup of coffee!).
October 1, 2023
October 1, 2023
HAPPY BIRTHDAY IN HEAVEN BARBIE...October 1
I miss you so much everyday but especially on your birthday since you and I have always celebrated our birthdays together. Yours is the 1st of Oct. and mine on the 4th but we always celebrated them as one. It seems so empty without you. I miss your sweet smile and your loving attitude towards everyone. You were never judgemental and always seem to understand the pain others had. You were my idol ever since I was a little girl and I always wanted to be like you....BUT... I can never fill your shoes. Thank you for being the best big sister in the world. It won't be long before we can be together again and I can be your pain in the backside little sister again. LOL  I love you and know you are having a great birthday party in heaven and eating Angel food cake with Mom and Richie and Billy and of course, Jesus. HAPPY 84TH. BIRTHDAY BARBIE!!!!! Love, your little sister, Dotty.
Her Life

Barb Cordle Faith Journey from Birth to Death for Ohio History Center

March 7, 2022
I had the distinct honor to interview with the Ohio Historical Society on my mom’s work and life.  I did my best to utilize the resources she left to us and our many discussions over the years to recreate the never straight but always God-Centered path she took to achieve so much.  Her life reflected her attempt to follow the words of Christ in the Lord’s Prayer.  To my surprise, the secular organizations involved allowed me to use The Lord’s Prayer as the foundation for the entire discussion as I could describe her life, choices, and sacrifices earnestly in no other way.  I hope I did her justice and didn’t make too many errors as there was so much to cover and so little time.  The video is a couple of hours in length, so please pick a time to watch it when you can reflect on your interactions with Barb, her life, and her work.  The Vatican may not have started the process yet, but in my eyes, she should achieve Sainthood, despite her admitted flaws.  Her trust in God in all ways is something we should all try to emulate.   Please leave comments on the youtube site and here if you wish.  
With the Ohio Historical Society, now Ohio History Center, we are working to have a historical marker placed at the site of Pater Noster. I provided hundreds of photos and videos for presentation and archiving at a later time as well.  
Thanks, and I hope you will take time to watch and share,
Randy Cordle

Recent stories

HAPPY 83RD BIRTHDAY SIS.... LOVE YOU, DOTTY

October 1, 2022
HAPPY BIRTHDAY IN HEAVEN BARBIE...
I miss you so much everyday but especially on your birthday since you and I have always celebrated our birthdays together. Yours is the 1st of Oct. and mine on the 4th but we always celebrated them as one. It seems so empty without you. I miss your sweet smile and your loving attitude towards everyone. You were never judgemental and always seem to understand the pain others had. You were my idol ever since I was a little girl and I always wanted to be like you....BUT... I can never fill your shoes. Thank you for being the best big sister in the world. It won't be long before we can be together again and I can be your pain in the backside little sister again. LOL I love you and know you are having a great birthday party in heaven and eating Angel food cake with Mom and Richie and Billy and of course, Jesus. HAPPY 83RD. BIRTHDAY BARBIE!!!!! Love, your little sister, Dotty.
September 15, 2020
I just learned of Barb’s passing. A very loving and caring individual. Was most lovingly referred to as “the Baby Lady” at St. Cecilia by those whose children she lovingly babysat or entertained. May she rest in the arms of our loving Father. “RIP Barb“ Much love...

A Gal-Pal indeed...

March 27, 2020
I was very fortunate to be Miss Barb's nurse for a while. She moved from where I was working and I knew that she was very special and I wanted to be friends. She and I kept in touch from time to time, I took her out for lunch one afternoon and had a blast. We had such a great time, laughed and shared stories. What an amazing woman I thought to myself...and now I realize what an amazing angel she was on this earth. The Lord blessed us all with her kind spirit and smile. May she rest in peace...to Barb's family, may you feel at ease to know that she is surely at God's side and smiling down at us...you are all in my prayers. God bless you, and be well ;)

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