Barbara Susan (Przekop) O’Leary passed away at home on Tuesday, September 18, 2018. She was born in Grand Rapids, MI on October 28, 1935, the daughter of Charles and Estelle (Niedzwiecki) Przekop. Barbara graduated from Catholic Central High School in 1953.
She graduated with a nursing diploma from Mercy Central School of Nursing in Grand Rapids, MI in December of 1955 as a Registered Nurse. She attended Marquette University School of Nursing, and was proud to have attained her Bachelor’s Degree of Nursing in June of 1959. She worked as a Registered Nurse in numerous medical facilities including St. Mary’s Hospital in Grand Rapids, Mt.
Sinai Hospital in Milwaukee and Mercy Hospital in Janesville. She returned to George Williams College, affiliated with Aurora University, and in December of 1989 obtained a Master of Science in Health Education. After graduation, she taught at Blackhawk Technical College and later worked for Rock Hospice Care, retiring in 1990.
She met her husband and love of her life, Harry J. O’Leary, at a nurse sponsored dance at Marquette University. They were married on November 21, 1959, in St. Adalbert’s Basilica, in Barbara’s hometown of Grand Rapids, Michigan. Barbara was an active volunteer in the American Cancer Society, North Rock County Chapter, the American Red Cross, and past president of the Catholic Women’s Club.
She was involved in church activities, serving on the Parish Council, Parish Finance Committee, the Liturgy Committee, and volunteered in various school activities. She derived much comfort and support from the St. William’s community. She had a very good singing voice and enjoyed singing in the church choir and choral groups.
Barbara would most likely say that her greatest accomplishment was being a stay-at-home Mom raising her five children. She loved being involved in her children’s daily activities. She was an excellent cook who could almost make liver and onions seem edible to her children.
She loved reading, theater, music, and travel. She always stated “I’m content with where I have been, what I have accomplished, and proud and of who I am”. Barbara is survived by her husband of 50 plus years, Harry J.; 5 children: Julie (Terry) Dunagan of Birmingham, AL, Harry C. (Connie) O’Leary, David (Kris) O’Leary, Kevin (Rebecca) O’Leary, and Timothy (Bobbi) O’Leary all of Janesville; 10 grandchildren: Levi Dunagan, Catherine (Catie), John, Mary Margaret (Maggie), Emily, Daniel, Grace, Audrey, Harrison and Sam O’Leary; brother, Charles (Delphine) Przekop; 3 sisters, Mary (James) Van Leeuwen, Paula (William) Mineau, and Susan (William) Shaw; numerous nieces and nephews; and many other family and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, September 27, 2018, at ST. WILLIAM CATHOLIC CHURCH with Fr.
Jim Leeser officiating. Interment will be in Mount Olivet Cemetery. A visitation will be held from 9:00 a.m. until the time of service at the church on Thursday.
In lieu of other expressions of sympathy, contributions may be made to the St. William School Endowment Fund. SCHNEIDER FUNERAL HOME & CREMATORY is assisting the family. For online obituary and registry: www.
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