Barbara Jean Cordova

Barbara Jean Cordova, age 75, passed away on Monday, April 1, 2024. Barbara moved to Colorado and met her loving and devoted husband of 49 years and raised her two children with that same love and devotion.

Barbara Jean was born in Spokane, Washington on March 3, 1949, to Gerald and Verna Savitz and was a protective and loving big sister to her younger sisters Kathy and Sylvia. Her parents were avid fishermen, so she spent a lot of her childhood with her family outdoors on camping trips and fishing on local lakes and rivers and for steelhead in the fall. She enjoyed being on the water and was proficient in water skiing, especially slalom skiing. Another memorable time with the family was when they packed up into the crowded station wagon with camping gear and took a 2-week trip to Disneyland. In the winters, she and her sisters would skate on the ice-skating rink their dad made in the backyard, which made them very popular in the neighborhood. She graduated from John R. Rogers High School in 1967. She attended a few years of community college before moving to Colorado in her early twenties.  

When she came to Colorado, she worked at Redfield Optics Scopes and later at Kmart. It was during this time she met Joe, the love of her life in September 1974, and their first date was going on a motorcycle ride to breakfast. They were married on December 22 and spent the next 49 years building a beautiful life together, filled with love and devotion to each other and their two children David and Pamela. Early in their marriage, they decided he would go to work, and she would stay home with the kids. She was dedicated and incredibly proud of her husband and children. She was always involved in the activities her children participated in, including school events, bake sales, girl scouts, boy scouts, and various sports.  

She shied away from being the center of attention, and always put the needs of others before her own. She was kind and cared deeply about those around her. She loved being an aunt and being another “mom” to her children’s friends. She enjoyed spending time and visiting with her husband, children, and her Cordova family of uncles, aunts, brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews, and cousins. In the last 11 years, she especially loved being with her little dog Buddy who she said saved her. She loved butterflies, holidays, especially Christmas, and reading mystery books including her favorite author Lillian Jackson Braun. She was as talented as she was beautiful. She was an artist who wrote with beautiful calligraphy and was extremely talented in watercolor, knitting, cross stitch, and sewing. For many years, she made her own clothes and clothes for her children as well as Halloween costumes for the whole family. Most of all, she was known for her crocheting skills and the beautiful blankets she made. She often said each stitch was made with love and it was God’s love flowing through her. So, each afghan, scarf, baby blanket, and baby booties were a gift of her and God’s love.  

In addition to her husband and children, she devoted her life to God and her faith. Joseph and Barbara were married for a second time at All Souls Church on June 24, 1985 where she also received her First Communion and Confirmation the same day. She enjoyed watching mass, praying the rosary, and saying her prayers daily. Over the past few years, she battled numerous medical issues including breast cancer and dealt with tremendous pain, more than we could know or understand. While her beautiful spirit never gave in, on April 1, 2024 her body said it was time to go home to God and the angels, and after years of pain, she finally found comfort and peace.  

Barbara is survived by her husband Joseph Cordova, son David (Jean) Cordova, and daughter Pamela Cordova. She is also survived by her sisters Kathy (John Sathe) Savitz and Sylvia (Gary) Drake. She was preceded in death by her parents.

Viewing and Visitation 4-6PM and Recitation of the Rosary 6PM to be held on Friday, April 12, 2024 at Drinkwine Family Mortuary.

Funeral Mass to be held at 10:30AM on Saturday, April 13, 2024 at All Souls Catholic Church in Englewood, with reception to follow. Committal Service will be on Monday, April 15, 2024 at 1PM at Ft. Logan National Cemetery, Staging Area A. Please use the North entrance on Sheridan.

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