In Memory of Sr. Barbara Fava OP

A dear friend and team member of Springbank ,Sr. Barbara Fava OP passed on to the spirit world on February 8, 2024 at the Sansbury Care Center in St. Catherine, Kentucky. This edition of the Springbank newsletter is a tribute to Barbara. You can also read more dedications to Barbara from staff and friends here on our website.

A native of Greenville, Mississipi, Barbara ministered as educator, instructor in various ministries of the community and Dominican coordinator at Sansbury Care Center. In 2012 Barbara came to Springbank on sabbatical. Seeing her many gifts during sabbatical, Sr. Trina McCormick OP, the then Executive Director, invited Barbara to join the Springbank team.

Having a green thumb, Barbara took care of the raised garden at Springbank. The lettuce, kale, spinach, tomatoes and herbs from ‘Barbara’s garden’ were delicious as they were nourished not just by the elements but by Barbara’s love and devotion. When it was hot, Barbara made sure that the flowers around the property and the vegetables she had planted were well watered. When the temperature would drop below freezing, Barbara would ensure that her raised garden was well covered with a tarp to keep her plants warm. I called Barb Springbank’s Constant Gardener!

Barbara’s loving commitment to Springbank expressed itself in being someone who was dependable, loyal and hardworking. Other than the garden, Barbara took care of many jobs around the property like contacting service people, shopping for the sabbatical group, baking bread for Eucharist, setting up the altar, preparing the bag that was given to those participating in Spirit Quest etc. is to name just a few things that Barbara did.

Barbara at her raised garden with Virgie

Barbara celebrating Anita’s birthday with Trina and Jim

What Barb enjoyed was a good Italian meal of spaghetti and marinara sauce, a game of golf and a gin and tonic for a celebration!

Even while dealing with health issues, Barbara cherished a deep desire to return to Springbank. It was synchronistic that she passed on the first day of the Springbank sabbatical session….a sure sign that Barb is still with us and will continue to look out for Springbank.

Barbara’s place at Springbank can and will never be replaced as in her own quiet way she reached out to her colleagues on staff as well as to those participating in programs at Springbank. Her favorite song was Peter Mayer’s ‘It’s not far to another’s heart’ – a song which reveals how big Barbara’s heart was!

I miss you Barbara - I know you are still with us.

Sr. Anita Braganza IBVM

Executive Director

We invite you to read more dedications, poems, and memories of Barbara that have been shared by staff and friends.

With Jim at the beach

Barbara enjoying energy and light during a forest bathing session

Getting Easter baskets ready with Doreen 

Taking a ‘breather’ outside her cottage at Springbank

Barbara with Marce Wilson celebrating a great clean up