Remembering Sister Barbarine Houdek, OSF

Sister Barbarine Houdek (Sister Mary Leonard) died in the hospital on October 10, 2023, just a little over of month before her 98th birthday. She was helped to eat a good meal, smiling and happy, then put her hand out to signal she was finished, laid her head back on the pillow and died within minutes. The joy and peace she showed in life remained her gift at the end.

Helen Barbarine was born on Thanksgiving Day in Calmar, Iowa on November 26, 1925, to Elizabeth (Pletka) and Leonard Houdek. She grew up with her brother, Bernard, who preceded her in death. When she was young the family moved to Chicago where she attended St. Cyril and Methodius Grade School. Her high school years were spent at St. Francis Academy. She graduated from the College of St. Francis in Joliet and went on to earn her MA in Theatre Arts from Northern Illinois University in DeKalb, Illinois.

Barbarine taught primary grades for thirty years in various parishes in Illinois and Ohio until she had the chance to follow her lifetime dream to be involved in theatre. In 1975 she began her Master in Theatre Arts and was able to join several theatre groups.

Read More About Sister Barbarine’s Life

If you would like to make a donation in honor of Sister Barbarine or another Joliet Franciscan Sister, please click here:  Remembering our Deceased Sisters.