Sister Barbara Jablonski, IHM

Sister Barbara Jablonski, IHM, (formerly known as Sister Marie Annette) of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary died on Thursday, March 20, 2025, at Our Lady of Peace Residence in Scranton, PA.

Born on April 5, 1942, in Manhasset, NY, Sister Barbara was the daughter of the late William and Martha Ringis Jablonski. She entered the IHM Congregation on September 8, 1959, made temporary profession of her vows on June 27, 1962, and final profession of her vows on June 27, 1967.  Sister Barbara received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Latin, and a Master of Science degree in counselor education, both from Marywood College, and a Master of Arts degree in classics from Villanova University.

Sister Barbara served as a teacher at the following schools: Laurel Hill Academy in Susquehanna, PA, from 1964 to 1966; and St. Joseph High School in Williamsport, PA, from 1966 to 1968. She served as vice-principal and teacher at St. Mary High School in Manhasset, NY, from 1968 to 1976.

Sister served as principal at the following schools: Most Holy Rosary High School in Syracuse, NY, from 1976 to 1978; and St. Dominic High School in Oyster Bay, NY, from 1978 to 1981.

Sister Barbara also served as administrator at Our Lady of Grace Center and Montessori School in Manhasset, NY, from 1981 to 1991 and 2017 to 2022; and director of guidance counselors at Holy Trinity High School in Hicksville, NY, from 1991 to 2002 and 2010 to 2017. In 2002, Sister Barbara was elected to the IHM Leadership Team and served in that capacity until 2010.

From 2024, until the time of her death, Sister Barbara was a prayer minister at Our Lady of Peace Residence in Scranton.

She was preceded in death by a brother, Monsignor William Jablonski, and a sister, Dorothy Ann Jablonski. Sister Barbara is survived by two sisters, Linda O’Connor of Somers, NY, and Christine Brady of Seaford, NY, nieces and nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews, beloved relatives, and canine pal, “Daiquiri.” She is also survived by the members of the IHM Congregation

The funeral will be Thursday, March 27 at 11:00 a.m. with Mass of Christian Burial at the IHM Center, 1512 University Avenue in Dunmore, PA. Friends may call at the IHM Center on Thursday, March 27, between 9:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. A prayer service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Interment will follow Mass on Thursday at St. Catherine’s Cemetery in Moscow, PA.

Prayer and Funeral Mass

Reflection

Given by Sister Terri Jordan, IHM Leadership Team Member

I want to welcome everyone here and those on livestream to the Mass of Christian Burial for Sister Barbara Jablonski.

I offer my deepest sympathy to Barbara’s sisters, Linda and Chrissy, her nieces and nephews, and her dear friend Flo. I also offer this sympathy to us, the Congregation of Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, for we indeed have lost a treasure.

The capable woman from Proverbs, the reward for fidelity from the letter to Timothy, and St. John’s account of the Wedding Feast at Cana are the readings for today’s liturgy. All of them are reflective of Barbara’s life. 

Some characteristics of being a Proverbs 31 woman include virtue and worth, hard work and resourcefulness, generosity and caring, wisdom and trustworthiness, versatile and skilled in various areas, respected and honored, as a woman of God. Barbara spent many years in the education, counseling, and administration ministries. In all of her ministries, she embodied these characteristics. For example, her resourcefulness paid off when decorating the chapel for Easter at Our Lady of Grace. She took a very young sister for a ride in the truck without saying where they were going or what they were doing. They soon got leftover flowers for the chapel at a funeral parlor.

For eight years, Barbara served as Councilor for Temporal Resources. At that time, the President showed Barbara an empty field and told Barbara that there would be a building there one day. And Barbara laughed. She would eventually oversee the construction of Our Lady of Peace Residence.

If I recall correctly, Barbara submitted a proposal to the Chapter of Affairs before the Chapter of Elections at which she was elected. The proposal was to have the Chapter every six years instead of every four years. Barbara did not like coming to Scranton every four years and thought every six would be fine. The proposal did not pass. Barbara spent the next eight years on the leadership team in Scranton. And God laughed.

From the letter to Timothy, we will hear the familiar saying, “I have competed well; I have finished the race; I have kept the faith.” On March 20^th, Barbara finished the race. During her life, she had serious health issues, but she kept on competing; she kept on living. Barbara fought to the very end. Barbara died on her own time; she most likely had a deal with God regarding the timing. Barbara was never one to let people know where or when she was going or how she was getting there. That was true up until her death. She was showing plenty of signs that she was leaving over what seemed to be an extended period. She finished the race on her timeline with God and no one else.

Lastly, we hear the story of the Wedding Feast at Cana. Today’s translation will start with, “It was such a wonderful wedding feast! The music, the dancing, the food and wine. There was a burst of joy just then.” Barbara loved a good party. She loved her clams, Arby’s, surf and turf, and, of course, her wine. She was the life of the party. Her laughter was contagious. Her generosity in providing a banquet was unmatched. As the administrator of Our Lady of Grace, she would host a week of fun and relaxation for sisters residing at the Marian Convent. One major disappointment in her life was when St. Joseph’s Center stopped serving clams at their summer festival.

Barbara loved the congregation, her friends, her family, and her sister’s dog, Daiquiri. The memories and stories of Barbara could go on forever. I do not doubt that Barbara’s niece, Maggie, will touch on what Barbara was to her family.

When I was leaving the position of Business Manager, Barbara gave me a nicely framed copy of An Irish Blessing. Barbara, I now leave you with that same blessing.

An Irish Blessing

May the road rise up
to meet you
May the wind be always
at your back
May the sun shine warm
upon your face
May the rain fall soft
upon your fields
And until we meet again
May God hold you
in the palm of His hand.