Mary Ann Bargerpassed away after a nearly 20 year battle with Alzheimer’s disease. Mary Ann was born in Antigo, Wisconsin to James and Marie Cavanaugh on August 12, 1934, but spent most of her life in Green Bay, Wisconsin. She graduated from Green Bay West High School in 1952, and received her Degree as a Registered Nurse (RN) from St. Agnes School of Nursing in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin in 1956. After nursing school, she married John Barger Jr., a math professor at the University of Wisconsin – Green Bay.
Mary Ann cared deeply about the mentally ill and elderly, and strived to optimize their living conditions, spirits and health. She worked for about 30 years as a nurse, most of them at the Brown County Mental Health Center. In her later years she worked at nursing homes in the Green Bay area.
Mary Ann was a compassionate caregiver who loved animals; all things Irish; classic movies; the songs of Elvis Presley, Andy Williams and Frank Sinatra; the Green Bay Packers; and above all, her children, and her grandchildren.
Mary Ann is survived by her brother, Thomas Cavanaugh, Port St Lucie, Florida; and her children, Julie (Bernie) Pallissard, Phoenix, Arizona; Mary (Pat) Schibly, Tacoma, Washington; Melanie (Mark) Garvey, Vienna, Virginia; and John III (Brooke) Barger, Tampa, Florida. She has 10 grandchildren: Olivia and Sophie Pallissard; Emily, Elizabeth and Molly Schibly; Patricia and John Garvey; and Hannah, John IV, and Emma Barger. She is preceded in death by her husband, John Barger, Jr., and her parents.
Mary Ann's Guestbook
It’s hard not to mourn for such a wonderful mother, grandmother, sister, cousin, nurse, and friend. But it’s impossible not to celebrate and appreciate her legacy- it’s here with us now and will always be present. MaryAnn is with us in our hearts and minds and the lessons she shared contributed to the goodness in all of us.
