Just a couple of weeks ago, I had a little adventure with Barb. She wondered if we still had the prie dieu—the little kneeler—that her uncle Sidney made for her in 1962 for her First Communion, which she later donated to the school. That sent us on quest to the storage areas and archives beneath the Shrine, which revealed nothing (except a dried up centipede stuck to my skirt). Then, we checked the sacristy in the Shrine— and VOILA! There it was! Her prie dieu is still being used for our Academy children, 55 years later!
That’s the thing about Barb – She is ALWAYS giving, ALWAYS thinking of ways to give back to her school. Whether it’s her gift of time through a variety of volunteer roles, her creativity in projects to help raise funds, or her deeply valued Sacred Heart connections, Barb’s generosity is from her heart.
Jane Cannon writes, “Twenty-‐five years after her graduation, Barb came back “home” officially by joining the Alumni Coordinating Council. Adamant in her refusal to assume the presidency, she has quietly assumed leadership roles in every ACC activity for the last twenty years.”
Barb’s journey began at the Academy in kindergarten when her older sister, Linda, entered Fourth Class. Barb skipped third grade, which she says, was “life-‐changing” because it was in Fourth Class that her closest friendships were formed. It was a pivotal year, as her mother also passed away. Mrs. Luczkowski was instrumental in getting the patio (referred to as the “mud pit”) completed under Sr. Pezolt’s direction and was involved in the Mothers’ Club and Country Fair.
Her class has the distinction of being our last senior class before the high school closed in 1972. Barb feels that event drew them even closer and as they went their separate ways for college – with Barb off to Mizzou to study environment science – they always came back together. Her classmate Jan Trogdon shares, “Almost since our graduation, she has devoted great time, effort and expense to keeping our classmates in touch with each other and with the school … Even more importantly, many of us who might have become estranged from the school and out of touch with each other—simply because of those difficult years (when the high school was closing)—have not, because of Barb’s quiet efforts.”
Barb worked at Western Union for 38 years, first as an operator, then in management, traveling to Canada and Costa Rica. When she retired in 2012, she began volunteering even more time at her beloved Alma Mater.
Barb’s behind-‐the-‐scenes efforts have been essential to the success of the Alum BBQ Booth at Country Fair, planning for Jane Cannon’s retirement party and our upcoming Home to the Heart Bicentennial Gala. Barb prefers to stay in the background and work her crafty magic, including creating small wooden plaques with the image of Mater in the House of St. John (lovingly referred to as “Old Mater”), and her trademark Tres Bien gift tags that are sold to benefit the Alumni Bicentennial Fund (you’ll see them tonight at our mini-‐boutique). Barb also corrals her sister Linda’s talent to sew Tres Bien aprons which provide cash for our Alumni Christmas Basket items as well as fabric sleeves to protect the school’s treasured silver pieces.
Four years ago, the Alumni Coordinating Council began what has become a new favorite tradition, Alumni Christmas Basket Gathering. The success of this massive, but fun, undertaking, is due in large part to Barb and Charla Dziedzic’s organization and attention. From her efforts collecting money, to shopping for van-‐loads full of groceries to encouraging her friends to donate and attend the party held the night before Christmas Basket Mass, Barb has championed this cause. Last year, we collected 63 baskets to benefit the neediest families in the area—a direct response to Goal III of Sacred Heart education—a social awareness which impels to action.
But that’s not all. Many mornings, I walk into the library and see Barb working. For the past two years she has donated her time—approximately 16 hours a week—with classmate and librarian, Beth Metcalf (and I can tell you there is a lot of laughter). Beth says, “Along with being a life-‐long friend, Barb has helped me turn the ASH Library into a well-‐oiled machine. She has mastered the “Follett library system” where she bar codes, enters and labels books. Because of her creative side she has made clever, eye–catching signs and even gifts for the children like bookmarks for Library Nights. The children love to see her!”
And the way she rallies her class – that legendarily loyal Class of 1972! Each year, Barb hosts a Christmas party and brings them together to celebrate their Sacred Hearted connections. “She’s the glue that holds our class together,” says Beth Metcalf. Barb finds ways of building COMMUNITY and through her hospitality and generosity, she supports her alma mater.
Michelle Schrick says, “Barb loves the Academy of the Sacred Heart and that common connection is all that she needs to share and trust in you. She can tell you a little synopsis of almost everyone and what they have been up to in the past year because she stays in touch. She is willing to organize road trips to attend a classmate’s book signing, or attend an AASH event in a neighboring state to support an alum receiving a prestigious award. She is a friend for all.”
Barb’s life at the Academy has come full circle. Her favorite place in the school as a child was the “old chapel” where she made her First Communion. It’s now our beautiful Library, where she spends mornings volunteering with her Sacred Heart friend. She says it’s like coming HOME every time she comes to work. And that prie dieu her uncle made for her in 1962 is now in front of Mater in the hallway just outside the Shrine.
Barb is eternally grateful to her parents for their seemingly random decision to send their daughters to the Academy and her life is entwined with Sacred Heart. Her classmate Ann Diekemper writes, “Her amazing love for the school is evident in her continued participation where needed at school events and her Philippine-‐like persistence to keep our school alive and thriving!”
For Barb, the fact that she is now on the same list of Philippine Duchesne Award Recipients list as her beloved Mother Marheineke is very humbling. Now, it is my distinct honor to present the 2017 Philippine Duchesne Award to Barb Luczkowski. Her giving, kind and loyal spirit is a true gift to the Academy. Tres bien to you, Barb!
