SISTER BARBARA MARY NOVAK
1931-2025
“Since the sisters and brothers are to be totally conformed to the Gospel, they should reflect and keep in their hearts the words of Our Lord Jesus Christ who is the Word of God, as well as the words of the Holy Spirit which are “spirit and life.”
— Third Order Regular Rule 11
Franciscan Sister Barbara Mary Novak, a Franciscan woman who put all her many gifts at the service of the Franciscan charism, faithfully kept, humbly lived, and joyfully shared the words of Our Lord Jesus Christ. She left this world for eternal life with God on December 14, 2025, at Cardinal Ritter Senior Services in Shrewsbury, Missouri.
Sister Barbara Mary was the oldest child and only daughter of John and Mary Katherine Novak (Mikos). Born in Omaha, Nebraska, on the Feast of the Assumption, August 15, 1931, Sister attributed her birthday for her lifelong devotion to the Blessed Mother. Growing up, she was keenly aware that a spirit of peace and peace-making were strong foundational elements in her family, elements that drew her to pursue becoming a Franciscan Sister.
Intelligent and academically inclined, Sister focused on bookkeeping, stenography, business law, and English. Graduating from high school at the age of 16, Sister Barbara Mary took a part-time bookkeeping job at an auto parts store to help defray the cost of attending Compton Junior College. Upon graduation from Compton, she worked for a distributor of electrical appliances and housewares for six years. In 1956, Sister felt called to religious life as a member of the Franciscan Sisters of Our Lady of Perpetual Help.
In community, Sister Barbara Mary pursued her love of academia and earned a BA in History from Marillac College and furthered that love of history by earning an MA in History from Saint Louis University. She ministered as a Catholic high school educator in St Louis, Sioux City, and Omaha, as well as a part-time instructor at Marillac College.
Called to minister within her community, Sister served as a member of Leadership from 1973 until 1985. Throughout that time, she became a walking history book of her Franciscan community, becoming steeped in the community’s roots, citing dates, events, and decisions made by her community, with the ability to interconnect, with great ease, the events that led to decisions. In March, 1982, Sister Barbara Mary was a delegate member, joining representatives from thirty-seven countries on five continents, who traveled to Rome to be received by Pope John Paul II to approve the new Third Order Regular Rule of St Francis. It was only appropriate that Sister Barbara Mary should be present for such an historical event.
Continuing to utilize her numerous skills, Sister headed Grant Development for St. Francis Hospital and Nursing Home in Green Springs, Ohio. Upon retirement in 2006, she was a receptionist at Tau Center in Kirkwood, Missouri. When asked how she wanted others to remember her, Sister Barbara Mary replied, “My Sister companions and my family have provided me with love and companionship on my life’s journey. They have given me joy, love, and peace, and I have loved them in return.”
Following a celebration of her life and Mass of Resurrection, Sister Barbara Mary will be laid to rest among her Franciscan Sisters at Resurrection Cemetery in Shrewsbury, Missouri. Memorials in her name are welcomed by the Franciscan Sisters of Our Lady of Perpetual Help. Donations and stories are being accepted through the website https://FSOLPH.org/donations/, by phone at (314) 965-3700 (leave a message at x-111) or through the mail: Franciscan Sisters, 335 S Kirkwood Rd, St Louis, MO 63122-6117. Contact info@fsolph.org with memorial questions.
Sister Barbara Mary, continue to walk with us as we journey home.
