Sister Barbara Jeanne Howard, SSJ, passed away on February 9, 2021, at St. Joseph Villa, Flourtown, Pennsylvania, after a lengthy illness.
Sister Barbara had been a resident at the Villa for several years after leaving her position as director of the Sharing Office at St. Philomena’s Parish, Livingston, New Jersey, where she had been for 25 years.
Born in Elizabeth to her loving parents, George and Genevieve Howard onAugust 6,1934, Barbara was big sister to her brother Ronald, who passed away in 2019. She attended St. Joseph the Carpenter School and Holy Family Academy. After graduating, she entered the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph in September, 1952.
Sister Barbara taught in elementary schools in the Philadelphia area; Washington, D.C.; Maryland; and New Jersey. She continued her education at Kutztown University, earning a master’s degree in math education.
Before assuming her duties at St. Philomena’s, she was an assistant superintendent in the School Office of the NewarkArchdioce se, visiting and evaluating classroom procedures, and mentoring student teachers attending Seton Hall University. The then-superintendent of Schools, Monsignor William Daly, asked her to assume duties at St. Philomena’s. To prepare herself for this ministry, Sister Barbara joined the first class given at Caldwell University in a new program for pastoral ministers, attaining a master ‘s degree. The next years found her working with the youth of the parish, leading up to the foundation of the Sharing Office, where she worked tirelessly for many years.
Whether Sister Barbara was teaching a fifth grader how to deal with percentages, pointing out to a student teacher a more useful technique for homework, or collecting hams and turkeys in the St. Philomena parking lot, she did it with gusto and a love and concern for all.
Her funeral Mass will be celebrated at Saint Joseph Villa today, Thursday, February 18.
Predeceased by her brother, Ronald Howard, Sister Barbara is survived by her sister-in-law, Margo Howard. Services are private, but may be live streamed from the St. Joseph Villa, Website www. stjosephvilla.org, on February 18 at 10:30 a.m.
In lieu offlowers, donations may be made in Sister’s name to St. Joseph Villa, 110 West Wissahickon Avenue, Flourtown, PA 19031.
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