October 20, 1952 — May 27, 2025
Sister Barbara Marie, of Buffalo, NY, age 71, a Felician Sister for 53 years, entered eternal life on Tuesday, May 27, 2025, in Immaculate Heart of Mary Convent, Buffalo, NY.
The former Barbara Juszkiewicz was born on October 20, 1953, in Buffalo, NY, and was a member of St. Ambrose Parish. She entered the Immaculate Heart of Mary Province of the Felician Sisters in Buffalo, NY, on August 6, 1972, and professed perpetual vows on August 10, 1980. She graduated from Villa Maria Academy in Buffalo and went on to earn an Associate in Arts degree at Villa Maria College of Buffalo, NY, a Bachelor of Arts degree at Canisius College of Buffalo, and a Master of Arts in Formative Spirituality degree at Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, PA.
Sister Barbara Marie began her ministry as a Felician Sister in 1974 at St. Amelia School, Tonawanda, NY, where she taught kindergarten for three years. She then taught at the junior high level at diocesan schools in Buffalo, Lackawanna, and Niagara Falls, NY. At Villa Maria Academy, Buffalo, NY, Sister Barbara Marie taught English and religion and then served as campus minister. Naturally kind and gentle, Sister Barbara Marie showed genuine concern and respect for all students, creating an ideal learning environment that helped her students thrive.
In August of 1996, Sister Barbara Marie began her ministry at Villa Maria College of Buffalo as an instructor of English, part-time campus minister and Justice and Peace coordinator. Sister Barbara Marie was full of energy and holy enthusiasm as she began this phase of her ministry.
This new ministry was abruptly and tragically interrupted on September 24, 1996, when Sister Barbara Marie, at 43 years of age, suffered massive life-threatening injuries in a traffic accident as she was walking to the College. As a result, her mobility was permanently impacted.
Sister’s deep faith, resilience, and indomitable spirit coupled with the love and devotion of her family and her community of sisters, miraculously brought her back to part-time ministry after more than a year of intense suffering, therapy, and abandonment to God’s Will. In August 1997, Sister Barbara Marie began serving as pastoral minister to the sick and infirm sisters at Immaculate Heart of Mary Convent. She resumed campus ministry at Villa Maria College from 1998 to 2000. In an interview on her return to Villa Maria College, Sister Barbara Marie stated, “I made a clear choice to live with joy and faith and not bitterness, anger and misery” . . . a choice that became a driving force for the rest of her life.
In 2000, Sister Barbara Marie returned to Villa Maria Academy where she served as campus minister until 2006. She then engaged in internal ministries at Immaculate Heart of Mary Convent as receptionist, Justice and Peace promoter, and spiritual director.
Always active in community life, Sister Barbara Marie served as director of candidates and postulants, participated as a delegate to Provincial Chapters (1988,1993) and the General Chapter (1994), and was a member of various community committees. Advocating for Justice and Peace was her passion as she served on the Diocesan Justice and Peace Commission, VIVE Board of Directors, and as chairperson of the provincial Justice and Peace Committee (1977-1995).
In September 2024, once again Sister Barbara Marie’s life was interrupted when she was hospitalized with cancer. She bravely accepted the prescribed course of medical treatment and fought courageously to overcome cancer. After an extended period of treatment and rehabilitation, she was able to return to the convent. Sister Barbara Marie was most grateful to be home where she could spend time before the Blessed Sacrament and interact with her sisters. She participated in community prayers, gatherings, meetings, and activities whenever possible. Her zest for and great appreciation for the gift of life kept her spirit alive.
However, when the cancer reoccurred in April 2025, Sister Barbara Marie peacefully surrendered herself to God’s will choosing to refuse any further medical intervention. Her time now belonged to God. In the last week of her life, Sister Barbara Marie spent quality time with her sister and brothers and her sisters in community. On the day she died, Sister Barbara Marie confided to her sister, “I am ready to run into the arms of God.” She entered the loving embrace of God in the presence of her sister Peggy and several sisters.
Throughout her life, Sister Barbara Marie cherished her vocation. Living the Franciscan call after the inspiration of Blessed Mary Angela, sharing the Felician-Franciscan charism, and calling the Felician Congregation her family, were among her greatest joys and blessings.
An Evening Prayer Service was held at Immaculate Heart of Mary Convent on Sunday, June 1, 2025, at 5 p.m. in the convent chapel. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on Monday, June 2, 2025, at 10:30 a.m. in the convent chapel. Rev. Paul Nogaro was presider and homilist. Rev. Msgr. David Lee concelebrated. The psalm response, “My soul is thirsting for you, O Lord, my God,” beautifully expressed Sister Barbara Marie’s singular heart’s desire. In his homily, Father Paul noted how Sister Barbara Marie’s life was formed in her experiences of family, ministry, and suffering, stating that “she knew where she was going and filled the time she had with ministry, love, and compassion for others . . . While we are saddened today, we are grateful to God for her inspiring presence in our lives.”
Sister Barbara Marie was buried in the Blessed Mary Angela Section, St. Stanislaus Cemetery, Cheektowaga, NY.
