Barbara Cerny, BVM
Sister Barbara Cerny, BVM died Sunday, August 19, 2018, at Marion Hall in Dubuque, Iowa.
Visitation, Sharing of Memories and Mass of Christian Burial were on Thursday, Aug. 23, 2018, in the Marian Hall Chapel. Burial was in the Mount Carmel cemetery.
Sister Barbara was an art and history teacher at Wahlert HS in Dubuque and a Regional for the BVM Congregation. She was a high school art and elementary teacher in Emmetsburg, Iowa. She was an elementary teacher in Chicago and Tujunga, Calif. and a teacher aide in Los Angeles. She ministered as a hospital volunteer in Albuquerque, N.M.
Sister Barbara was born in Chicago on July 5, 1926, to John and Catherine Simonich Cerny. She entered the BVM congregation on Sept. 8, 1944, from Blessed Sacrament Parish, Chicago. She professed first vows on March 19, 1947, and final vows on Aug. 15, 1952.
“No matter the school, Barbara’s students greatly appreciated her good nature, humor and her artistic talent. . . As Jesus gave sight to the blind Bartimaeus, Barbara, too, helped others to see. Yes, her students to see their potential, but also viewers of her art to see the importance of our ordinary, everyday world.” (Eulogy, Marian Hall Chapel, Aug. 23, 2018).
She was preceded in death by her parents, a brother John, Jr (Mildred) and brother-in-law John Starcevich. She is survived by a sister Mary Ann Starcevich, Valrico, Fla.; a brother Lawrence (Eleanor), Bolingbrook, Ill.; nieces; grandnieces; grandnephews, and the Sisters of Charity, BVM, with whom she shared life for 73 years.
Memorials may be given to Sisters of Charity, BVM Support Fund, 1100 Carmel Drive, Dubuque, IA 52003 or make an online gift.
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Sister Barbara was my 8th grade teacher at OLM she was the best person around. I LOVED HER TEACHING AND SHE WAS A FRIEND . I KNOW ONE DAY WE WILL MEET AGAIN
Sister Barbara was a teacher at Our Lady of Mercy in Chicago and I was the school secretary there at the same time. She was a wonderful and kind teacher. I have wonderful memories and a large charcoal of the Lincoln Park conservatory that she gave me many years ago. I have saved all her Christmas cards thru the years…all hand drawn and many of Mary. I loved her dearly. She was a wonderful influence for all the children and they loved her. God Rest her Soul. Once when I addressed her card as just Sister Barbara Cerny she was quick to tell me I needed to add her flavor…BVM.
God Bless all of the Sisters.
Sister Barbara was my favorite teacher of all time! She was my 8th grade teacher. Such a great human being and so full of love! I still hear her voice “Ugh Miguel!” I was constantly laughing and a bit disruptive. She put up with me! Hurts me to see this! Rest in paradise Sister Barbara!