Obituary of Sister OS

Sister Barbara Jean Rivera, OS Of the Sisters of St. Francis of Mary Immaculate, died at Our Lady of Angels Retirement Home, Joliet, Illinois, where she resided, on June 10, 2007, at the age of 76. She was a member of the Joliet Franciscans for 60 years. Born in Joliet and baptized Rita Joann, Sister Barbara Jean was preceded in death by her parents, Manuel and Agnes (Videtich) Rivera. She is survived by her brother Eugene (Judy), nieces and nephews, Dani (Peter) Broughton, Richard (Lori), Philip (Nora), Kassi (Barry) Rivera-Zinker, and Scott (Brandy) McQuen, grandnieces and grandnephews, cousins, and her Joliet Franciscan sisters. Sr. Barbara Jean graduated from St. Joseph Grade School, St. Francis Academy and the College of St. Francis, all in Joliet. She also earned a Master's degree from the College of St. Francis. She ministered as a primary grade teacher for 25 years in schools in Illinois and Ohio, including Holy Family School in Joliet. She then began a long time of service to the Sisters of St. Francis working primarily as an assistant to the Central Administration of the Congregation. Since 1994, she has ministered as a secretary in the public relations/development office at Our Lady of Angels Retirement Home. The wake will be at Our Lady of Angels Retirement Home, 1201 Wyoming Avenue, Joliet, IL (Wyoming and Rt. 30) on Thursday, June 14, 2007, from 2:00 - 6:45 p.m., with a prayer service at 4:45 p.m. and Mass of Christian Burial at 7:00 p.m. Burial will be Friday, June 15, at 9:00 a.m. from Our Lady of Angels to Resurrection Cemetery in Romeoville, IL. Memorials may be made to the Sisters of St. Francis of Mary Immaculate, 801 North Larkin Avenue, Suite 101, Joliet, IL 60435-3442. Arrangements by: FRED C. DAMES FUNERAL HOME 3200 Black at Essington Rds., Joliet For information: (815) 741-5500