Dominican Sr. Barbara Ann Stanek passes

Friday, Sep. 11, 2015

ADRIAN, MICH. — Sister Barbara Ann Stanek, formerly known as Sister Louis Mary Stanek, died on Sept. 4, 2015 at the Dominican Life Center in Adrian, Mich. She was 76 years of age and in the 60th year of her religious profession in the Adrian Dominican Congregation.

Sr. Barbara was born in Chicago, Ill., to Walter and Julia (Wiktor) Stanek. She entered Dominican life as a preparatory student on June 28, 1953. She graduated from St. Joseph Academy in Adrian, Mich.; received a Bachelor of Philosophy degree in English from Siena Heights College (University) in Adrian, Mich., and a Master of Education degree in education administration from the University of Illinois in Champaign, Ill. 

Sr. Barbara spent 38 years ministering in elementary education in Medina, Ohio; Detroit, Mich.; Chicago, Ill.; Des Moines, Iowa; Las Vegas, Nev.; and Sandy, Utah. This includes being principal for four years in Des Moines, 10 years in Las Vegas and nine years in Sandy. 

She also was Chapter Prioress for the Dominican Southwest Mission Chapter in Grand Junction, Colo. for seven years. In addition, she served the Congregation in maintaining properties in Edmonds and Seattle, Wash. for five years, and ministered at Siena Heights University in Adrian for nine years as project director and campus minister. 

She became a resident of the Dominican Life Center in Adrian in 2015.

Sr. Barbara is survived by a cousin, Vivian Jennings, of Schiller Park, Ill.

A funeral Mass was celebrated Sept. 9 in St. Catherine Chapel in Adrian, Mich.; committal followed in the Congregation cemetery.