Barbara Ann Sadlek, a long time resident of Mt. Carmel, Illinois, died peacefully in her sleep May 19, 2023 in Davenport, Iowa. For over 66 years she was the loving wife and steadfast companion of Lawrence (Larry) Sadlek, Jr. He predeceased her in April of this year. She is survived by her three children, Lance (Thia) Sadlek of Davenport, IA; Lynne (Owen) Charles of Connecticut; and Mark (Lauren) Sadlek of Venice Beach, California. She will be deeply missed by her five grandchildren: Kassandra, Coco, Gideon, Ursula, and Rylen. A celebration of life for both Barbara and Larry will be held later in the Fall in Mt Carmel.
Barbara was born on August 4, 1933 to John B. Nedwick and Sophie (nee Jalloway) Nedwick in Chicago, Illinois. Although an only child, she grew up among her adoring uncles and many cousins. She was particularly beloved by her Polish grandmothers.
Barbara attended Lourdes High School and DePaul University, both in Chicago. She became a medical technician and eventually found herself working in the clinic of a certain Dr. Sadlek where she met her future husband, Larry. Larry happened to work on weekends in his father’s clinic managing its books while attending law school. They were married in 1956 and moved to Mt. Carmel in 1959.
From her mother, Barbara learned to sew and carried this skill throughout her life. In her young adulthood she made many of her own clothes, including tailored jackets and suits. She made almost all of her daughter’s clothes.
She always loved fabrics and eventually started quilting. For years she was part of a group of quilters that met weekly at St. Mary’s rectory to make quilts to be raffled for St. Mary’s school. She was also a member of The Homespun Quilters.
Barbara’s mother also taught her a love of books. Growing up she and her mother would ride the Archer Avenue trolley to the library and, according to her, “come back with grocery sacks full of books.” In 1968 she spearheaded an initiative of the Mt. Carmel’s Women’s Club to raise funds for the construction of a new public library in Mt. Carmel to replace the Carnegie Library. It eventually became the Mt. Carmel Public Library.
In the 1980s Barbara took a drawing class that her daughter taught at Wabash Valley College. From that time forward she did a number of remarkable drawings and watercolors.
Barbara was a compassionate woman and a patient listener. She was a parishioner at St. Mary’s Catholic Church and taught religious education classes. She was a hospice volunteer, as well. She was a member of Chapter FK, PEO where she served as past president. She also served as a 4-H leader while her children were growing up.
Barbara had a wry sense of humor and loved a prank. The one that got her the most mileage was the Squirt Gun. Supposedly kept by her side to keep Mikey, the cat, from clawing the curtains and upholstery, she was not averse to catching people off-guard with a squirt of water -- especially her napping husband. The routine played out regularly. She would squirt him; he woke up with a start and an expletive; and she giggled delightedly.
Throughout their 66 years together Barbara was extremely devoted to her husband Larry, as he was to her. They shared a deep mutual respect, a love of adventure, and a long life together. In the end they died just over a month apart. Theirs was a marriage made in heaven.
