Barbara Dewey

Our queen abdicated her throne today. Beloved wife, mother and grandmother, who will forever live larger than life itself, closed her last chapter on February 15, 2013. As tenacious as she was throughout her life she, no less, matched that same resolve; savoring every last morsel of life's bounty-- defying all odds--before her final farewell at 84 years of age. She never was a quitter, and by God, it wasn't until her body resigned that she let go of living, gracefully. But before departing, she checked her hair and put on a classy shade of pink lipstick. Our enigmatic queen always wanted to look her best for her love of 61 years, Dick Dewey. The West High School sweethearts never stopped looking at each other as if it were that memorable first glance; a love that bloomed big and bright from that moment forward, a love so few know.

Barb was born in Madison, Wisconsin, on December 18, 1928. Her parents, Roland and Lorraine (Loveland) Groves, raised both Barb and her younger brother, Bob, along the water's edge of Lake Mendota. Brother and sister also treasured great memories with Gram Howard; a rare woman who had an abundant capacity for love, flair, wit and charm. And, she was a great cook, to boot! Barb and Bob adored her.

Barb graduated from the University of Wisconsin with a degree in English. She and Dick married their senior year. Shortly after graduation they headed west to Seattle, where Dick accepted a position with Boeing. Over the course of 14 years, Boeing took their budding family to Texas and Florida. Dick then assumed a management position with PBP, the family-owned business, that took them over the Golden Gate to a west coast life they relished for several years. The song, "I Left My Heart in San Francisco," never failed to mist Barb's gray eyes. But the CEO position offered to Dick brought them back to their permanent home in Madison, where the expanding company set up its head office, and became SYCOM, ultimately.

With a fourth child on the way and a demanding job, life's pace picked up considerably! And they loved it. A lot of entertaining and traveling came with the new position. Barb was the consummate hostess; indulging her creative bent, from gourmet menus to Japanese floral arrangements. She was in her element, as was Dick. Their four kids embraced the Wisconsin lifestyle, as well. Skiing, sailing, and school activities filled their bustling days. When Dick retired early, they took to the skies, and seas--all over the world. Barb's favorite place was Mexico, where she could speak Spanish fluently with the natives. Her bi-lingual abilities were only one small facet of her larger persona. She was a talented, classical pianist, who studied her craft very seriously. Chopin's notes resounded through the house in the early morning hours. She was a wordsmith, as well. She dabbled in words with a passion akin to a wine connoisseur's heightened palate, as a poet without form. She loved to feel words roll off her tongue and waft into others' senses, along with her own. Barb was a generous mother, grandmother and great grandmother. She was a contemporary and reveled in all of their lives. She had much to say and was always willing to share her opinion, perhaps kibitzing would be a better expression. Barb had many favorite sayings, all were warmly called "Barbisms". One which she shared ad nauseum with her children when they were teenagers was "it's not about aptitude, it's about attitude". She would tell you that she was a discerning woman. A simple woman, even (though few who knew her could accept her self-description with a straight face). Above all, she would wish us to remember her as the lady she was, a stunning lady.

Barb is survived by her beloved husband: Richard Thompson Dewey, Madison. Her four children: Lynn Maertz (Randy) of Stoughton, and their children; Kimberly Corcoran (Harry), and Stephanie Lang (Shannon); Lisa Dewey (Kevin Osgood) of Abilene, TX, and her children; Whitman Dewey-Smith, and Corwin Dewey-Smith (fiancee, Natalie Griffin); Rick Dewey (Sally) of Green Bay, and their children; Alex (Ashley, son Evan) Dewey, Kelsey Dewey, and Lauren Dewey; Jane Dewey (Jason Cronin) of Huntsville, AL, and their daughter, Jamie Cronin. She also leaves behind sister in-law, Jeanne Tomcek Groves, of Appleton; brother-in-law, Lawrence Dewey (Nancy) of Madison, and three brothers; Dennis Groves (Linda) of De Pere; Patrick Groves of Eagle, Wisconsin; and Brian Groves (Carla) of Fremont. She was preceded in death by her mother, Lorraine Groves (1948), her father, Roland Groves (1989) and her dear brother, Robert Groves (2012) of Appleton, Wisconsin.

Our family wishes to express our heartfelt thanks to extraordinary surgeon, Dr. David Melnick, who extended Barb's life considerably. We are very grateful for this special time with her. This was a priceless gift to us all. In addition, our family is grateful to the staff of Select Hospital, for their over-the-top care during her long stay.

A memorial Service will be held on Friday, February 22, 2013 at Cress Funeral Home, 3610 Speedway Road, Madison. Friends may call at the funeral home on Friday afternoon from 1:00 p.m. until the time of the service at 2pm. Following the service, a Celebration of Life will be held. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Barb's name to the American Kidney Foundation or the American Heart Association.