Sister Barbara Marie, 71, a Felician Sister for 53 years, died in Immaculate Heart of Mary Convent, Buffalo, NY, on May 27, 2025. The former Barbara Juszkiewicz was born on October 20, 1953, in Buffalo, NY, and was a member of St. Ambrose Parish. She entered the Buffalo Province of the Felician Sisters on August 6, 1972, and professed perpetual vows on August 10, 1980. After graduating from Villa Maria Academy, Buffalo, NY, she earned an Associate in Arts degree at Villa Maria College of Buffalo, 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 taught English and religion and then served as campus minister. Naturally kind and gentle, Sister Barbara 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 Peace and Justice 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 (1998-2000) and Villa Maria Academy (2000-2006). Sister Barbara Marie then engaged in internal ministries at Immaculate Heart of Mary Convent as receptionist, Justice and Peace promoter, and spiritual director. 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.
Always active in community life, Sister Barbara Marie served as director of candidates and postulants, participated as a delegate to Provincial Chapters (1987, 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 Peace and Justice Committee (1977-1995).
Sister Barbara Marie cherished her vocation, noting that living the Franciscan call after the inspiration of Blessed Mary Angela (Foundress of the Felician Sisters), sharing the Felician-Franciscan charism, and calling the Felician Congregation her family, were among her greatest joys and blessings.
Sister Barbara Marie is survived by her sister Margaret (Stephen) Jeziorowski and her brothers David (Mary Ann), Peter, and Joseph (Dani). She was predeceased by her parents, Stephen and Martha (Harasimowicz), her sister Mary Ann Malayny, and her cousin Sister Mary Patricia Tomasik, CSSF.
A wake for Sister Barbara Marie will be held at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Convent on Sunday, June 1 from 2 to 5 p.m. followed by an Evening Prayer Service at 5 p.m. in the convent chapel.
There will also be a viewing on Monday June 2, 2025 from 9:30 to 10:30 AM followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 a.m. in the convent chapel.
The Mass will be live-streamed via Zoom. Please Click Here to watch live on Monday morning. (You’ll need a “zoom” account prior to log in).
Interment will follow in St. Stanislaus Cemetery, Cheektowaga, NY.
Memorials may be made to Felician Sisters, 600 Doat Street Cheektowaga, New York 14211.
