Sr. Barbara Cervenka, OP, formerly known as Sister James Annette, died on Wednesday, January 28, 2026, at the Dominican Life Center in Adrian, Michigan. She was 86 years of age and in the 68th year of her religious profession in the Adrian Dominican Congregation.
Sister Barbara was born in Cleveland, Ohio, to James and Florence (Balzer) Cervenka. She graduated from Hoban Dominican High School in Cleveland and obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in Fine Arts from Siena Heights College (University) in Adrian and a Master of Fine Arts degree in Painting from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
Sister Barbara ministered over 44 years in education in Maybee, Detroit, Madison Heights, Adrian, and Ann Arbor, Michigan. During her Detroit years, Sister Barbara taught at St. Lawrence School in Detroit, Bishop Borgess High School in Detroit, and Bishop Foley High School in Madison Heights. She also helped create art books and manuals for the Archdiocese's Education Department and gave numerous art education workshops throughout the schools of the Archdiocese.
Sister Barbara served for 11 years as a member of the faculty at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, and 21 as a member of the faculty at Siena Heights College (University) in Adrian, an Adrian Dominican-sponsored institution. She served four years on the Congregation’s General Council. Sister also ministered almost 14 years as co-director at Con/Vida in Detroit. Con/Vida is a non-profit that promotes understanding of the diverse cultures, traditions and history of the Americas through art. Sister became a resident of the Dominican Life Center in 2026.
Sister was preceded in death by her parents; her stepmother, Annette (Kawalac) Cervenka; and her sister, Sister Anita Marie Cervenka, SND. She is survived by other loving family and her Adrian Dominican Sisters.
Visitation will be held from 6:30-7 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2026, in the Gathering Space of St. Catherine Chapel. The Vigil Prayer will be held at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2026, in St. Catherine Chapel. A Funeral Mass will be offered in St. Catherine Chapel at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 5, 2026. Prayers of Committal will be held in the Congregation Cemetery. Memorial gifts may be made to Adrian Dominican Sisters, 1257 East Siena Heights Drive, Adrian, MI, 49221.
Those who are not attending services in person are welcome to participate via live stream at https://adriandominicans.org/Live-Stream.
Obituaries for clergy and religious who have lived or served in the Archdiocese of Detroit may be emailed to [email protected]. Obituaries are printed as they are submitted, but may be edited for grammar and style. Detroit Catholic reserves the right to refuse or edit any submissions.
