Obituary

Barbro Nordmark, 78, passed away peacefully on July 28, 2026. She was born October 28, 1947, in Lanzhou, China, to Swedish Christian missionary parents, Arne and Alice Nordmark. As a child, she immigrated with her parents and brothers, Sam and Gordon, to New York, NY, where she grew up.

Barbro went on to attend Bethel University in St. Paul, MN, before graduating from Hunter College in New York with a degree in Mathematics. A New Yorker at heart, she later relocated to Rockford in 1993.

She built a career centered around her passion for travel, working for years aboard cruise ships and later as a travel agent. Through her work, Barbro explored cities, cultures, and coastlines around the world, and enjoyed helping others discover the joy of travel and adventure. She especially loved sharing her passion with those closest to her, often taking family members along on trips so they too could experience the world.

A lifelong Christian, Barbro was a devoted member of Trinity Baptist Church in New York City and later First Free Church in Rockford. Her faith, instilled by her missionary parents from day one, remained a steady foundation throughout her years of travel and change.

Barbro was a devoted daughter, a loving sister, and a fun and deeply loved aunt. Her nieces and nephews will remember her as warm, generous, determined, and always ready to share an adventure. She had a love for Swedish cooking and music, enjoyed skiing, gardening, and cherished the time she spent with her family above all else. She will be greatly missed and lovingly remembered.

Survived by her sister-in-law, Pam Nordmark; nieces, Kristin (Brian) Buciak and Kit (Christopher) Nordmark Miller; nephews, Jason (Celia) Nordmark, Adam Nordmark (Phillip) and Taylor (Julie) Nordmark; great-nieces and great-nephews, Olivia, Natalie, Anna, Kira, Cameron, Vivian, and Henrik; and many beloved extended family members in Sweden.

Predeceased by her parents, Arne and Alice Nordmark; brothers, Sam and Gordon Nordmark; and her beloved dog, Teemo, and cat, Mimi.

Private family services will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you please donate to Fairhaven Christian Retirement Center to honor the memory of Barbro. Our family extends its heartfelt gratitude to the staff at Fairhaven for the compassionate care and kindness they provided during her final years.
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