Sister Barbara Makar, a Sister of Charity of Nazareth, was called to her heavenly home on Friday, November 24, 2023 at the age of 93 and in the 71st year of her professed religious life at Vincentian Home after a brief illness.
Barbara was born in Greensburg, PA on January 17, 1930 to John and Antoinette (Papias) Makar. She was one of 9 siblings. She was pre-deceased by her parents and siblings Julie, Steve, Katherine, Frank and Andrew. She is survived by siblings Veronica, Louis and Mary.
Barbara entered the Vincentian Sisters of Charity (VSC) as a candidate from St. Florian’s Parish, United PA, in the Diocese of Greensburg in 1952 and made her perpetual vows on Aug. 15, 1958. In 2008, she transferred her vows when the Vincentian Sisters of Charity merged with the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth.
Sister Barbara Makar earned a Bachelor of Arts in Education from Mt. Mercy College (now Carlow University) in 1967. She served as an elementary teacher for 33 years in Greensburg PA, Youngstown Ohio and Pierce City MO. She also served briefly as a nursing home aide at Vincentian Home and Vincentian Villa DeMarillac.
In 1991, Barbara was sent to Saint Michael’s Parish in Wauchula FL to minister as a Pastoral Associate. She taught CCD classes and provided social work services to the migrants. She also served as the convent cook and sacristan for the church for over 18 years before returning to Pittsburgh. In 2009, she served as a volunteer driver and as an Apostolate of Prayer. In 2020 when St Louise Convent closed, Barbara became a resident of Mt. Assisi Place – a personal care facility run by the Bellevue Franciscans – until shortly before her death.
She is survived by her remaining siblings along with many nieces and nephews, as well as her religious community, the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth.
Funeral and burial arrangements are as follows:
- Viewing at St. Louise Convent on Friday, December 1, 2023 beginning at 1:30 PM
- Wake Service to follow at 2:30 PM at St. Louise Convent
- The Funeral Mass will begin at 3:00 PM
- Burial to follow in the Sisters’ Cemetery
Memorials may be made to the Office of Mission Advancement; P.O. Box 9; Nazareth, Kentucky 40048.
Thanks my dear friend for all the wonderful times spent together in Wauchula and for being a faithful member of the Council of Catholic Women during your time with us. And for your support to our family in good and bad times. I will missed you!
Thank you for being my family, and my long-time forever friend. I love you, I miss you, and I’m lost since I can not call and check in on you every day. May God keep you peaceful and blessed for your lifetime of caring and sharing. Until we see each other again, safe journeys Auntie Bertie.
Sister Barbara,
Thank you for all your time and love for me as a child. I’m praying for you as I know you did for me.
Love and rest.