(1939-2026)

When Sister Barb Cervenka died in early 2026, she had the rare honor of having her passing mourned by the government of another country; Brazil’s Ministry for Culture issued a press release that read in part:

Barbara Cervenka’s passing represents a significant loss for the field of visual arts, art education, and policies for the appreciation of Afro-diasporan art, areas in which she dedicated her life with commitment, sensitivity, and historical vision.

… Barbara Cervenka’s legacy will live on in the institutions she helped to strengthen, in the cultural policies she inspired, and in the works that now permanently integrate into Brazil’s cultural heritage.

Barbara Florence Cervenka was born September 28, 1939, in Cleveland, Ohio, to James and Florence (Balzer) Cervenka. She was the older of the couple’s two children; a sister, Anita, came into the family three years after Barb’s birth.

Florence was in remission from Hodgkin’s disease at the time Barb was born, and her health declined over the next few years. Although her illness often made her tired and even short-tempered, “I can remember her sitting on the floor and playing board games with me,” Sister Barb wrote in her autobiography. “I remember walking with her to the store, with Anita in a ‘Taylor-Tot.’ I remember listening to my favorite program, ‘Baby Snooks,’ with her and my Dad. I remember our Christmas tree and how magical it was.”

Barb was only five years old when her mother died, and “losing her was one of the most significant events of my life,” she wrote. The children first went to live with their maternal grandparents, then lived with their father’s parents when their Grandma Balzer became ill and returned to the Balzers when Grandma Cervenka died. Although the children were well loved by their grandmothers, and Barb and Anita were close, Barb still found herself very lonely and “lived a lot in my imagination,” she wrote. She discovered drawing – especially pictures of horses – and it became her refuge.

Read more about Sister Barbara (PDF)

Memorial gifts may be made to Adrian Dominican Sisters, 1257 East Siena Heights Drive, Adrian, MI, 49221. Funeral arrangements are being handled by Anderson-Marry Funeral Home, Adrian.

Sister's Memorial Card (PDF)

 

Vigil and Funeral Recordings

Note: To view recordings with closed captioning, they must be viewed on our public video library rather than through the links below.

Recording of Sister Barb's Vigil Service - After clicking the link, download the recording by right-clicking on the video choosing "Save video as." Worship Aid (PDF)

Recording of Sister Barb's Funeral Mass - After clicking the link, download the recording by right-clicking on the video choosing "Save video as." Worship Aid (PDF)

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