Cori Dawn Wanzer (AKA Cori Vice) was born on April 21st, 1993 at Tinker Air Force Base. Twenty-eight years later, on January 24th, 2022, Cori departed this world, leaving behind numerous loving friends, family, and coworkers. Despite the complexities within her, marked by inner struggles and moments of isolation, Cori's heart overflowed with love, and her soul consistently reached out for connections with others.

She found inspiration in art and music. The love of her friends was a steady anchor. The tranquility of the natural world provided solace. Every emotion resonated within her to the very core. She was able to see others in a way no one else could, because she understood the true depth of feeling that any one person could possess.

Cori was passionate about music and writing. She spent much of her free time creating, and found peace in making music. When speaking was too difficult, Cori created her own safe space to express her emotions within the solace of poetry and sound. Though Cori was a private person, she dreamed of sharing her creativity with the world and performing one day. She made part of this dream a reality through an original album she posted on Spotify.

The musical artist who made the deepest impact on Cori’s heart was Mac Miller. She found endless inspiration in his lyrics and had shared with her loved ones that his music helped her through some of her darkest times. She enjoyed skateboarding, hanging out with her friends and watching reality TV. She knew everything about The Jersey Shore and Big Brother. She was a fan of The Sopranos and Breaking Bad. She loved watching the dynamics of complicated and often-hurt characters play out on the small screen; sometimes these scenes paralleled her own battles and complexities.

She was also an amazing online multiplayer gamer, especially when playing Call of Duty Black Ops II. She and her friends could often be found filling the house with laughter and shouts at approaching hoards of zombies. She had a deep appreciation for spicy cuisine. Embracing her grandmother's recipe, she proudly celebrated her heritage by crafting what could only be described as the world's finest salsa. She could also whip up the best homemade funnel cake around. She also adored funfetti strawberry cake.

She was passionate about hockey and baseball, closely following the St. Louis Cardinals and the Boston Bruins. She dreamed of visiting Boston one day to see them play in person. If you ever find yourself at TD Garden, look to the sky and know Cori is there cheering with you. Cori was uniquely clever and quick witted. Though she maintained a quiet demeanor at times, when she decided to share her thoughts, she unfailingly emerged as the funniest person in the room.

She was adventurous and charismatic. She made friends easily. People loved being around her calm and easygoing energy. She was incredibly loyal to her close friends. She would give the shirt off her back to anyone who needed it. She had a profound concern for others. She was a trusted friend over the years and was a fierce protector of those she loved.

Cori's love was wholehearted and all-encompassing. Her inclusive and understanding nature allowed her to effortlessly put people at ease. Recognizing her own internal struggles, she possessed the ability to empathize with and comprehend the pain of those she knew. Her ability to empathize and make people feel at ease set her apart.

Cori had the most beautiful deep laugh that could be heard across an entire room. Making her laugh felt like a badge of honor. She had a way of observing the laughter and commotion of the friends around her with a small, warm smile lighting up her face. It was like a bright light in a dark room.

Cori battled with mental illness most of her teen and adult life. The moments of true peace and comfort in her life were few, nestled within a deep sadness. She often pretended to be okay, enduring pain silently like many others. She possessed an incredible inner beauty but she lived with an overwhelming amount of pain.

She felt disconnected from the physical world and in a constant struggle with her own mind. Despite her deep understanding of others, internal suffering kept her from revealing her true self. Her loss has left everyone who knew her devastated.

While we will never understand the depth of the pain and distance she felt on this earth, we know her soul is at peace and finally home. Despite her persistent efforts to connect, she held a deep-seated belief that she was undeserving of love. It is now our responsibility to extend our love to her from a realm where she can genuinely accept it.

Her memory carries through her friends, her family, her coworkers, and her creative work under ‘Cori Vice’.

Think of Cori when you see a blazing campfire, when you hear a smooth guitar riff, when you feel the sunshine on your face or the wind through your hair. Cori is everywhere, now. Cori is free.

(This memorial page was created in collaboration with some of Cori's friends)

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