SANDOR SISTER BARBARA (MICHAEL), CSJ Sister Barbara (Michael) Sandor, CSJ, 83, died Wednesday, December 21, 2016, in the 65th year of her religious life as a Sister of St. Joseph. The daughter of Michael and Anna Semens Sandor, Sister Barbara entered the Congregation from Holy Rosary Parish in Pittsburgh. From 1955 through 1978, Sister Barbara served as a teacher in the Pittsburgh, Altoona-Johnstown, and Greensburg dioceses. Her school ministry sites included Annunciation in Pittsburgh (1976-78), Nativity in Pittsburgh (1970-76), St. Cajetan in Monessen (1964-69), St. Mary in Freeport (1962-64), and St. John in Johnstown (1960-62). Following her teaching ministry, Sister Barbara held several secretarial positions, including at the Diocese of Pittsburgh Religious Education Learning Media Center, Good Samaritan, Annunciation, Duquesne University and Mercy Hospital. From 2006-2012, she served as a volunteer visitor at Villa St. Joseph where she has resided for the past four years, participating in the Villa Voices, Bell Choir, and Pets with Heart therapy. During her 50th Jubilee celebration, Sister Barbara Sandor shared that her first encounter with the Sisters of St. Joseph was not in a classroom, but rather at her family's home where she witnessed first-hand how the Sisters faithfully and cheerfully visited an elderly homebound woman who lived upstairs. I never could have dreamed as a little girl that I would someday become one of them, said Sister Barbara who was educated in public schools. I am always grateful to be a sister especially a Sister of St. Joseph. The cheerful spirit of the Sisters, which Sister Barbara admired as a young girl, carried into her own ministry as a companion to the sick and elderly at the Motherhouse infirmary and later at the Villa. An avid singer, she enjoyed singing church music and inspired others to raise their voices, too. Whether in music or ministry, Sister Barbara often referred to her favorite Scripture message, Lift your heart to God. Sister Barbara is survived by a sister, Helen Sandor; a brother, Joseph Sandor; nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews; the Associates and the Sisters of St. Joseph of Baden. Friends will be received Tuesday, December 27, 2016, from 1- 8 p.m. and Wednesday, December 28, 2016, from 11 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. at the Motherhouse of the Sisters of St. Joseph. Prayer Vigil will be Tuesday, December 27, 2016, at 6 p.m. at the Motherhouse. Mass of Christian Burial will be offered Wednesday, December 28, 2016, at 3:00 p.m. Burial will follow in the Sisters' Cemetery on the Motherhouse grounds. Donations in the name of Sister Barbara may be sent to the Sisters of St. Joseph Memorial Fund, St. Joseph Convent, Development Office, 1020 State St., Baden, PA 15005. Send condolences post-gazette.com/gb
