Please join us for a potluck brunch to celebrate Barb and the community she helped build in Chicago. Bring a dish, a favorite memory, and - if you'd like - a plant that we'll add to her memorial garden at the house.
Join us in celebrating the life of Barbara Muchisky. Contribute to this lasting memorial by sharing stories, memories, photos, and videos. As we plan gatherings, we will post invites with event information here. Share this memorial with family and friends, and remember to RSVP to help us plan.
OBITUARY
Barbara was a lifelong teacher who taught all of us about friendship, kindness, joy, laughter, and adventure. She lived her life to very fullest and has loving friends and family spread out across the world. There are not words enough to thank all of you for the tremendous outpouring of support over these last few weeks. Your stories, care, and love are all a testament to her life and generous, loving spirit.Barb grew up in Wisconsin... see moreBarbara was a lifelong teacher who taught all of us about friendship, kindness, joy, laughter, and adventure. She lived her life to very fullest and has loving friends and family spread out across the world. There are not words enough to thank all of you for the tremendous outpouring of support over these last few weeks. Your stories, care, and love are all a testament to her life and generous, loving spirit.
Barb grew up in Wisconsin with her sister Ann, where they cultivated a lifelong love of ice cream.
Upon graduating college, Barb joined the Peace Corps and after 3 months training in Puerto Rico was assigned to the rural department of Boyaca where she, along with her partner, offered wellness classes as part of a healthcare project in Guateque, Boyaca. Barb’s time in Colombia was shortened by health issues, but she retained a lifelong interest in Colombia and returned to the country over the years, volunteering to provide teacher training workshops to English teachers.
After Peace Corps, Barb got her MA in Spanish and taught ELL classes for hundreds of elementary school kids and adults in Lincoln and Boston.
Barb was fond of saying she’d had a big life for small town Wisconsin girl. She lived in New Mexico, Arizona, Florida, Poland, Nebraska, Massachusetts, and Chicago. She was quick to make friends and brought a little piece of all these places with her.
Few things made Barb happier than an airline ticket and her camera. She traveled all over the world with friends and family. She infected so many of us with the travel bug and brought a sense of joy and wonder wherever we went together. Among her many travels were Italy, Ireland, Tanzania, Costa Rica, Puerto Rico, Nicaragua, Panama, Canada, Mexico, Spain, Poland, England, Alaska, Norway, Czechoslovakia, Austria, Cuba, and Colombia.
After she retired, she was on to the next adventure. She moved to Alligator Point, FL, joined the turtle patrol, made friends with the locals, and committed herself to her other lifelong passions, reading and art. Her home was ever full of books, the vast majority of which she’d read cover to cover. She also somehow found the time to keep up on the news, both international and local. She would gladly discuss politics over happy hour drinks. There was almost always a painting in progress on her porch and she took painting and art classes with friends across the country.
Last year, she moved to Chicago where we bought a two-flat together. The house has been a work in progress while she joined us in throwing ourselves into a political campaign to win a City Council seat. She collected petition signatures, talked to voters in nursing homes, and sent a steady supply of tamales for the weekend canvassers.
She never missed a chance to celebrate the day with happy hour, complete with cocktails, snacks, and a conversation about the days news and events. Please join us in carrying on her tradition by leaving your toast, photos, and memories on this page. We’ll also have a series of memorials around the county and will list the events here as the details get settled.
I want to give my condolence to the family. I am so sorry for the lost of your love one.
May the peace of God that excels all thought I sustain and keep you during the difficult days head. – Philippians 4:7
In March of 2016 I found myself in major transition and I left my job of fifteen years. I was completely unsure of what my next venture was going to be. I had a trip to Spain (already planned) and had no real plans... moreA few years ago the stars aligned.
In March of 2016 I found myself in major transition and I left my job of fifteen years. I was completely unsure of what my next venture was going to be. I had a trip to Spain (already planned) and had no real plans after my return.
When I returned from Spain, I decided to stay with my Mom in Plymouth until I figured out what I was going to do. My daughter, by coincidence, lost her rental and needed a place to stay as well. So, we both moved in. It was almost summer, and Barb was coming to visit as she pretty much did every year.
When I think back on that summer, I often refer to it as the summer of the Golden Girls. We played hand and foot, ate corn on the cob, celebrated happy hour, and talked about life.
That June I started a new job and each morning I would come downstairs dressed for work and Barb would be downstairs waiting for her “fashion show.” I’d twirl around, and we would laugh.
I loved Barb’s insight. She enjoyed so many things… travel, books, art, adventure.
Barb always encouraged me to go after things. To tackle things that other people wished they could but were not able to. When I was going to Spain backpacking, she told me to walk for her, since due to her hip she could not.
A lot of things had to come together for the four of us “girls” to spend that summer together. I am so thankful that I had that time and my children did as well.
I think of the big milestones we celebrated in the last few years together. Julian’s 21st birthday, and Mom’s 70th birthday.
I’m glad we had her while we did. We should all take a page from Barb’s book. Travel, read, love, and eat lots of ice cream. less
Barb loved to travel and often kept a journal of her adventures. One of her favorite places was the Dune Shacks in Provincetown, MA. On our first stay we shared a small shack with Susie, our adopted sister.
Here are a couple of excerpts from Barb's... moreBarb loved to travel and often kept a journal of her adventures. One of her favorite places was the Dune Shacks in Provincetown, MA. On our first stay we shared a small shack with Susie, our adopted sister.
Here are a couple of excerpts from Barb's journal:
"Whales, seals, gulls, shore birds, mungy water, beach roses, rose hips, biting black flies in late afternoon. Beach cocktails, BLTs, fudge for dessert. Cots to arrange...oh no!"
"Thalassa's 9' X 12' dimensions necessitated moving the table and chairs to the porch, making room for two cots next to the built-in bed. Cozy!"
Barb and I found sleeping on the cots difficult. However, Susie was able to sleep comfortably on the cots and thus earned the name "Susie the Serf". less
We have so many great memories with Barb!! We felt like we knew her our whole lives!! We always had great times together especially in Florida! We went with her several times on turtle walks, went to hear music and have fish dip and crackers at a local... moreWe have so many great memories with Barb!! We felt like we knew her our whole lives!! We always had great times together especially in Florida! We went with her several times on turtle walks, went to hear music and have fish dip and crackers at a local bar and restaurant called Hook Wreck Henry's, visited George at his pottery studio in Sopchoppy and went to Boss Oyster House several times in Appalachicola. Attended a couple of the neighborhood pot lucks. Loved enjoying cocktail hour with her!! We both like gin and tonic!!
One event that was especially memorable was when a number of us were visiting Barb and we were at the beach when a kayaker named Larry from Louisiana came up on shore and needed assistance because somehow he became separated from his friend who was also kayaking. Barb invited him up to her house even though she already had a full house. We all ate, drank and learned so much from Larry. He knew a lot about the stars and constellations. He was also a doctor. So Larry was going to leave but it was already getting dark so Barb invited him to stay the night. He slept on the porch and left the next day. He came a stranger but left as a friend!! That was Barb!! She made friends with everyone she met!! She will be deeply missed!! Here's to you Barb!! I will think of you often and especially when I have my gin and tonic!!
Geralee and Rich less
One of the stories that Barb and I used to laugh about was her (and my) cruise to Alaska. In around 2004, Barb went on an Alaskan cruise with Bill and Billie Meyer. It was through First Plymouth Church. I also went on that cruise with my husband's... moreOne of the stories that Barb and I used to laugh about was her (and my) cruise to Alaska. In around 2004, Barb went on an Alaskan cruise with Bill and Billie Meyer. It was through First Plymouth Church. I also went on that cruise with my husband's family. It was great fun! I'd often see Billie and say hi as we were both taking ELL classes at UNL. There was always this other woman with her and we both assume that at some point she introduced us but it didn't stick. We even took a day excursion in Ketchikan (I think) to visit the Totems and watch one being carved. It was a great day! Well a year or so later, Barb came to work at Arnold. We were sitting around a table eating lunch and someone mentioned Alaska. We both said we'd been there and then she started talking about visiting the Totems. She was telling the same story I would have told...basically. I started asking her questions and we finally realized that we had both been on the same cruise a year before we actually got to know each other. We decided our friendship was meant to be. Love her and miss her. less
One time when Barb was visiting me in Massachusetts we went on an excursion to Cuttyhunk Island. The following is a story that Barb wrote about our adventure.
(Disclaimer: In this true story, some names have been changed, not to protect... moreOne time when Barb was visiting me in Massachusetts we went on an excursion to Cuttyhunk Island. The following is a story that Barb wrote about our adventure.
(Disclaimer: In this true story, some names have been changed, not to protect anyone, but because the real names have been forgotten!)
In October of 2001, Ann and I signed up for a one-day art field trip to the island of Cuttyhunk. We were to meet our teacher and eight fellow students at the ferry in New Bedford. It was a bit choppy when we arrived, and there was some discussion about cancelling the crossing to Cuttyhunk. In the end, the ferry left as scheduled for the 45 minute trip. This being October, most of the summer residents of the island had closed up their homes, B and Bs, hotels and restaurants, leaving only the hardier residents to hunker down for the winter.
After a wet morning of sketching, while huddled under rain ponchos, we boarded the ferry for the return trip. The teenage pilot tried his best to control the lurching boat as passengers flew up out of our seats and the wind and rain buffeted us about. Our laughter as we bounced about belied our true fear, and it was with relief that we turned back toward Cuttyhunk. Finally, we were told that we would have to stay on the island overnight. But stay where? Well, there was a community hall that had some folding chairs in it. We could stay there. But where could we eat? Well, in the grocery store (a room about 10 feet by 12 feet in size), of course. The owner told us to use the kitchen in the back of the store, to take everything we needed off the shelves, just to leave a list of what we used. We could pay later. What serendipity that a member of the class was a former chef. He directed us to the necessary ingredients for an outstanding Italian feast accompanied by plenty of wine.
As we waited for dinner, a golf cart pulled up, driven by Lou, a stout woman wearing a heavy jacket and stocking cap. “Come on, girls! I’ll show you the island!” Four of us piled into the cart, Ann and I scrunched into the way- way back. Lou wheeled off at a fast pace over the dunes and scrub toward the wild, western side of Cuttyhunk. She provided a running commentary as we held on for dear life. Each time we bounced over a dune or through a bit of marsh, Lou called out, “Hang on, girls!” The stormy seas and ferocious clouds at the western edge of the island were our reward.
While we were eating dinner back at the grocery store, another woman appeared offering five of us a place to sleep at her house. Elaine was a year-rounder who lived alone on the island next door to a daughter and son-in-law. We eagerly took her up on her offer. A thorough search of the grocery store had not turned up toothbrushes or toothpaste, but we figured we could make-do for one night.
Well, as anyone knows, a nor’easter doesn’t just last for one day! Plans to leave on Sunday and Monday were dashed, and Elaine extended her hospitality. She raided apples from a neighbor’s yard to make us two big batches of apple crisp. We contributed by raiding the grocery store for wine.
Ann and I took a couple of forays out into the wind and rain to explore the island while the real artists in the group stayed inside to paint. One evening we accompanied Elaine to the church for a hymn-sing, a weekly event in the off season which brings the winter islanders together. This week, in the wake of 9/11, we were roused and moved by the national anthem before we moved on to favorite hymns requested by the audience.
By Tuesday, though not necessarily ready to leave Cuttyhunk, we were all eager to get back to toothbrushes we had left behind. In the afternoon, the wind and rain abated somewhat and our ferry took another stab at crossing to New Bedford. Our group of five exchanged phone numbers and promised to hold a reunion soon. We’re still waiting. less