Barbara Susan Kocorek of Rockwall, Texas passed away on June 23, 2024 at the age of 59 after a long
battle with ovarian cancer. She was a beloved sister, aunt, friend, and colleague who will be deeply
missed by all who knew her.
Barbara grew up in Amherst, Ohio, the youngest of five children and was a 1982 graduate of Marion L.
Steele High School. She obtained a BS degree in Chemical Engineering and after relocating to Texas,
completed her BSN at the UT Health San Antonio School of Nursing, combining her love of science and
belief in serving others. Throughout her career, she was known for her hard work, keen intelligence and
commitment to helping others, spending her last twenty years as an oncology nurse.
She was devoted to her fur babies, adored the beach and enjoyed getting together with her friends, the
“goddesses.” But by far, her main source of joy was spending time with her family, arranging dinners and
holiday get-togethers, playing pinochle and other games, or simply laughing together.
Barbara was preceded in death by her parents, Carl and Margaret (Kressman) Kocorek and nephew,
Michael Kocorek. She is survived by her brothers, KC (Margie) Kocorek, C. Michael Kocorek, and James
(Lana) Kocorek; her favorite sister, Judith Pich; nephews, Nicholas Kocorek and Alexander Pich; nieces,
Emily and Olivia Pich, and her beloved companion, her dog, Drogo.
A service celebrating Barbara’s life will take place at 2 pm on Monday, July 8, 2024 at Rest Haven
Funeral Home, Rockwall, Texas, preceded by a rosary service at 1:30 pm.
Those wishing to honor Barbara’s commitment to family and nursing may make a donation in Barbara’s
memory to the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition, 12221 Merit Drive, Suite 1950 Dallas, TX 75251 or
https://www.nocc@ovarian.org/