Sister Barbara Siderewicz recognized, listened to the Lord wholeheartedly

The life of Sister Barbara Siderewicz of the Franciscan Sisters of Our Lady of Perpetual Help has been compared to a beloved Gospel reading for Easter, about the two disciples who met the risen Lord on the road to Emmaus.

“She saw her life as a journey much like the disciples on the way to Emmaus,” her religious community wrote about the Omaha native. “She recognized the One Who accompanied her on the way and with a discerning spirit, she listened to Him as she wholeheartedly served and lived the Franciscan community mission of being a transforming presence.”

“Throughout her 54 years as a Franciscan sister she was a discerning woman who knew how to seek, how to listen, and how to act,” the sisters said. “She gave herself unselfishly to the mission of the Franciscan Sisters.”

Sister Barbara died March 23 in St. Louis, where a private funeral Mass was held.

She was born in Omaha, the oldest of 12 children born to Cecilia and Frank Siderewicz. Family was always important to her, her religious community said.

Sister Barbara attended high school in St. Louis before entering the Franciscan Sisters of Our Lady of Perpetual Help in 1967 and professing vows as a Franciscan sister in 1970 and final vows in 1973.

She was an educator, serving in schools in Missouri, Illinois and Wisconsin. And she was a leader, serving as a principal in four elementary schools and administrative roles for her religious community.

Survivors include her religious sisters, and siblings Stanley, George, Ann, Therese, Pauline, Rose, Mary and Lorraine.