In Memoriam

Sister M. Barbara Freisen, OP

Dominican Sister M. Barbara Freisen, the former Florences A. Freisen, died peacefully at Regina Health Center, Richfield, Ohio, on Monday, May 11, 2009. She was 78 years old and in her 59th year of religious profession.

Sister Barbara was the daughter of Henry and Barbara Freisen and entered Our Lady of the Elms Convent, Akron, from St. Dominic Parish, Youngstown, Ohio, on August 30, 1948.

Sister Barbara loved working with children and was an assistant at the Our Lady of the Elms Preschool. She graduated magna cum laude from the University of Akron with a BSE in elementary and secondary education for students with special needs. The students at Our Lady of the Elms Special Education School loved her for the interest she instilled in them in various subjects, especially in science and nature.

Sister Barbara continued her education and received her LPN from St. Joseph Hospital in Lorain, Ohio. She became an excellent nurse and ministered to the sisters in the Wellness Center at the Motherhouse. Sister Barbara’s health eventually prevented her from remaining in this ministry, but she retained her generosity of spirit, treating her sisters to lunch, dinner or an ice cream treat whenever they took her out.

Sister Barbara is survived by two sisters, Ann Koczwara of Poland, Ohio and Jane Mingo of Campbell, Ohio. She was preceded in death by her parents and brother, Thomas.

Donations in memory of Sister Barbara may be made to the Dominican Sisters of Peace, 1230 W. Market St., Akron, OH 44313-7108.

Sister Theresa Damicone, OP
Congregational Secretary
Tel 330.836.4908
E-mail t.damicone@akrondominicans.org