SISTER BARBARA NESBIHAL

March 5, 1937 - May 16, 2017

Sister Barbara Nesbihal, 80, (formerly Sister Barbara Madonna), a Sister of Charity of Saint Elizabeth, died Tuesday, May 16, 2017 at St. Ann’s Nursing Home in Jersey City, NJ. Sister Barbara was born in Hawthorne, New Jersey, the daughter of Christopher and Ida (Lutz) Nesbihal. She entered the Sisters of Charity on September 6, 1955 and was a member for 61 years. Sister Barbara graduated from the College of Saint Elizabeth, Convent Station, NJ with a B.A. degree in History and from Montclair State College, Montclair, NJ with an M.A. degree in Urban Studies. Sister Barbara served in the educational ministry in Jersey City for her entire life as a Sister of Charity. She was a teacher at St. Mary School and the Academy of St. Aloysius. She served as principal at St. Bridget’s school, Jersey City from 1969 to 2002. When urban developments and gentrification threatened housing availability for the school and parish families, Sister Barbara worked with advocates in Jersey City to assure that the families could return to the newly renovated developments. She joined with other city activists to be the voice of the voiceless. In the 1970’s and 1980’s Sister Barbara coordinated the summer in the city activities for elementary students at five sites in Jersey City. She worked closely with the department of recreation and the Jersey City catholic and public schools to provide safe and supportive environments for all children in the city. When the catholic schools of downtown Jersey City were merged into Resurrection School, Sister Barbara remained to serve as Co-Principal and an Administrative Team member of this new endeavor. She with the assistance of her staff created the concept of a peaceable school where students were expected to model peaceful attitudes and behavior. Sister Barbara was a kind, compassionate and loving woman. She accepted people for who they were and gently encouraged them to make choices for good. Sister Barbara was predeceased by her parents, Chris and Ida, and her beloved sister, Ruth Nesbihal. She is survived by the Sisters of Charity; the Sisters of St Bridget’s; Adele Lombard and children. In lieu of flowers, contributions to the Sisters of Charity Development Fund, P.O. Box 476, Convent Station, NJ 07961-0476 would be greatly appreciated.