Obituary: Sister Barbara Kwiatkowski, OSF

Obituary was published and funeral arrangements were entrusted to the care and direction of the Fred C. Dames Funeral Home and Crematory.

Sister Barbara Kwiatkowski, OSF

Sister Barbara Kwiatkowski, OSF, a Sister of St. Francis of Mary Immaculate, entered eternal life from St. Patrick’s Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Naperville, Illinois, January 1, 2026. She was blessed with musical talent, organizational skills and the desire to be an influence and leader in the lives of others as a teacher.

A native of Toledo, Ohio, Sister Barbara attended St. Anthony Grade School through third grade, then St. Charles School through eighth grade. She graduated (1971) from St. Ursula Academy, Toledo, Ohio, before earning her BA (1983) from the College of St. Francis, Joliet, Illinois. She then earned her MA (1996) in Educational Administration from Rosary College, River Forest, Illinois.

Sister Barbara entered the congregation from St. Charles Parish, Toledo, Ohio, and made her final vows as a Sister of St. Francis of Mary Immaculate on June 7, 1986. She began teaching (1983-1986) at Joliet Catholic High School. Sister Barbara then was a teacher and Dean of students (1986-1989) at St. Francis Academy. She continued her mission as teacher and Dean of Students at Providence High School (1989-1996) New Lenox, Illinois. Her journey and passion for secondary education took her on to St. Martin De Porres Academy and St. Rita High School in Chicago, Illinois, as well as Fenwick High School, Oak Park, Illinois. After serving as Vocation Minister for the Congregation (2005-2011) Sister Barbara returned (2011-2016) to Campus Ministry at Joliet Catholic Academy, a position that she found most fulfilling because it gave her the opportunity to use both her organizational and musical skills as well as to coordinate Kairos retreats. Sister Barbara always felt proud to see the thoughtful and mature adults that her students had become. From 2016, Sister Barbara served the Congregation in leadership positions. She was a Councilor, Local Chapter Coordinator, Liturgist, Spirituality Coordinator, Cantor, and Director of the Sisters’ Choir.

Born on September 22, 1953, in Toledo, Ohio, Sister Barbara was the daughter of the late Delvin and Joan (Bialorucki) Kwiatkowski of Toledo, Ohio. One of three children, she is survived by her two sisters, Susan Shible of Toledo, Ohio and Kathy (Jim) McVicker of Rossford, Ohio, a niece, Jennifer (Joseph) Schmidt, a nephew Christopher (Larissa) McVicker and their two children Caelyn and Owen McVicker. She will live in the hearts of her students, friends, and all those who have grown in faith and courage through her music and dedication.

Visitation for Sister Barbara Kwitkowski will be held Sunday, January 11, 2026, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Fred C. Dames Funeral Home, 3200 Black Road, Joliet. Funeral services will be held Monday, January 12, 2026, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, 404 North Hickory Street, Joliet. Additional Visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m. followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 a.m. A Sharing of Memories will take place after Mass in the Church. Interment will be private at Resurrection Cemetery, Romeoville, Illinois.

If you would like to make a donation in honor of Sister Barbara Kwiatkowski or another Joliet Franciscan Sister, please send your memorial to the Sisters of St. Francis of Mary Immaculate, 1433 Essington Road, Joliet, IL 60435.

For more information, please call (815) 741-5500 or visit her Memorial Tribute at www.fredcdames.com, where you can share a favorite memory or leave a condolence.

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