Mrs. Barbara Jean Kissel

July 19, 1952 - January 7, 2016

Barbara Jean Kissel, 63, died peacefully at home on Thursday January 7, 2016 after a short illness. She was born July 19, 1952 in Cortland to John Gardner and Jane Cummings Gardner. Barbara graduated from Bellport High School in Long Island, and earned a Bachelor of Arts in English at The University of Massachusetts. Barbara returned to Cortland and worked at Intertek before providing daycare in her home. She had been the Staff Assistant for the Faculty Senate at S.U.N.Y. Cortland since 1988. In her spare time she loved working in her flower garden and had several poems published in magazines and anthologies. Barbara was always caring for others and was willing to sacrifice for members of her family. She had been a breast cancer survivor since 2013. She is survived by her husband Anthony Kissel; her children, Jessica Kissel of Cortland and Jack Kissel of Morrisville, N. Carolina; her grandson; Jameson Kehn of Cortland; her sister, Janet (Joseph) Gemignani of Washington Township, N.J., her nephew, Nathan (Angie) Gemignani of Trumansburg, N.Y.; her niece Laura Gemignani of N.J. Calling hours will be held on Tuesday from 4-6:30 p.m. from the chapel of Riccardi Funeral Home 69 N. Main St., Cortland. At 6:30 p.m. there will be a time for sharing for those who choose to. Contributions in Barbara's memory may be made to the American Cancer Society 6725 Lyons St., E. Syracuse, N.Y 13057 Condolences may also be sent to the family by visiting www.riccardifuneralhome.com