Barbara Hornik

Barb and her twin, Bart, were born on March 6, 1945, in Rhinelander, WI. They joined two older sisters, Janet and Joan. In 1960, her family moved to Shorewood, WI, where she entered her sophomore year at Shorewood High School. Upon graduation in 1963, she attended the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee. She married James W. Hornik in September 1967 and graduated in January 1968.

While at UWM, Barb found her passion for community service. As a member of the UWM Religious Council, she actively supported the coalition for the open housing movement in Milwaukee and other initiatives dedicated to providing resources to the poor and underserved in Milwaukee. Following graduation, she joined VISTA (Volunteers in Service of America), a newly created national organization with the mission to improve people's lives in poverty-stricken areas of the United States.

VISTA training and assignments took Barb and her husband, Jim, to Atlanta, East Nashville, and Johnson City, TN. She focused on organizing volunteers to provide childcare, housing support, and transportation for impoverished people with limited access to community resources. Following her time in VISTA, Barb joined the Appalachian chapter of the Girl Scouts of America chapter, which brought programming to girls and young women in the coal country of East Tennessee, Kentucky, and Virginia.

In 1971, Barb welcomed her daughter, Kyla, which prompted a move back to Wisconsin to be closer to family. Once they settled in Madison, Barb and her husband fostered youth who needed temporary care. In 1977, their second daughter, Renata (Cary), joined the family. They continued to foster teens and welcomed several exchange students while Kyla and Renata were growing up.

Over the years, in addition to caring for her family, Barb worked in the First Unitarian Society's administrative office and at JC Penny. She found her true calling as a parent educator and child advocate at Family Enhancement/The Exchange Center, where she helped provide parents and caregivers with parenting tools and resources.

Following her divorce, she found a supportive community through Rebuilders and founded a book club that is still active 22 years later. A lifelong music enthusiast, she sang in the Gilda's Club chorus. She was a long-time Madison Symphony Orchestra season ticket holder and enjoyed seeing her daughter Renata perform as a violist with the Symphony. She also enjoyed attending her granddaughter's musical and theater performances.

After retiring, she continued her dedication to public service by becoming a poll worker and registering voters. She canvassed for candidates who were committed to advocating for the underserved. Her sister Joan became her travel companion, and they took several European trips. She also enjoyed visiting a former foster son and his family in Orange County, CA, Renata at the Monteux School and Music Festival in Maine, and her daughter, son-in-law, and grandkids in Oak Park, IL.

When her grandkids were born, she became an active grandparent, volunteering at their schools and attending many baseball games, soccer matches, and performances. As they grew older, she loved learning about their interests and passions.

Religion was important to Barb, and she dedicated her life to living Jesus' teaching by providing dignity to the poor, justice for the oppressed, and acceptance of one another. As a long-time member of the First Unitarian Society, she enjoyed the spiritual enrichment and social community.

Barb was predeceased by her parents, Barto S and Helen M Howard, and sister, Janet Martin. She is survived by her twin brother, Bart Howard, and sister, Joan Aller; daughters Kyla (Lou) Lombardo and Renata (Jeremy Johnson) Hornik; and grandchildren, Zara and Olivier Lombardo. She was a second mother to many, including Timothy, Belle, and Ian Tran, Tony, Lynn and Lily Hornik-Tran, and Koji Ishiyama. She was a beloved aunt to many nieces and nephews. She will be missed by all who were touched by her thoughtfulness.



At the end of her life, Barb received excellent hospice care through Agrace. In place of flowers, please consider donating to Agrace. https://www.agrace.org/donate/donate-today/.

A memorial service for Barbara Hornik will be held Friday, March 21st, 2025 at 5:00 pm.
First Unitarian Society
Atrium Entrance
900 University Bay Drive
Madison, WI 53705

If you are unable to make it to the memorial, you can join us virtually or watch the service at a later date via this link: https://www.youtube.com/live/S2VzHoLj95k?feature=share