Aston, PA—Sister Barbara Ann Beck (formerly Sister Francis Charles), OSF, 83, died in Assisi House on Monday, August 1, 2022. She had been a professed member of the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia for 62 years. Sister Barbara was born in Detroit, Michigan, but later moved to Pennsylvania, where she was a member of Holy Family Parish and a graduate of Bethlehem Catholic High School. She entered the congregation in 1957 and professed her first vows in 1960. She earned a BA in English from Neumann University (then Our Lady of Angels College) and an MA in spirituality and theology from Fordham University. She was also a certified Body, Mind, Spirit Healing Specialist. She ministered primarily in spiritual ministries and education.

Sister Barbara ministered for 45 years in the Diocese of Camden. With the help of Sister Judith Shambo, Sister Barbara initiated a Spirituality/Evangelization program entitled Visitors for Christ, which she shared with numerous parishes throughout the Camden diocese. She also served in pastoral ministry as director of spirituality at several parishes; some of these include St. Rose of Lima, Haddon Heights; Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Berlin; St. Edward, Pine Hill; Holy Family, Sewell; Saints Peter and Paul, Turnersville; St. Nicholas, Egg Harbor; Resurrection, Marmora; St. Stephen, Pennsauken; and Mary, Mother of the Church, Bellmawr. In later years she continued to serve in spiritual ministry in the diocese.

Sister Barbara began her life as a sister in education, serving for eight years in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, where she taught at St. Elizabeth, St. Bonaventure, St. Alphonsus, and St. Mary of the Assumption Schools, all in Philadelphia, and at Resurrection School in Chester. She served in spiritual ministry at St. Agnes Hospital and for various parishes around the diocese. In 2022, she moved to Assisi House in Aston, Pennsylvania, where she served in prayer and hospitality until her death.

Additional ministry work included seven years in the Allentown Diocese, where she taught at St. Francis School in Allentown and St. Francis Home in Orwigsburg. She also served as principal of St. Mary School in Catasauqua.

All services will be held in Assisi House on Wednesday, August 3 and will be private. Services will be livestreamed for friends and family. A Christian Wake Service will be held at 9:30 A.M. followed by Mass of Christian Burial at 11 A.M. Burial will be in Our Lady of Angels Cemetery in Aston. Sister Barbara Ann is survived by her nieces, nephews, and Franciscan family. Donations in her name can be made to the Sisters of St. Francis Foundation, 609 S. Convent Road, Aston, PA 19014.

For a more personal write-up on Sister Barbara, click here.

The livestream will begin at 9:30 A.M. Click here to access the livestream: https://livestream.com/accounts/18363082/srbarbarabeck.