Barbara Jackman Sladek

Barbara Jackman Sladek MATTHEWS - Barbara Jackman Sladek, 65, of Matthews, NC, died Thursday, December 20, 2012, at her residence. Born August 15, 1947 in Bethel, CT, Mrs. Sladek was a daughter of the late John Jackman and Evelyn Hawk Jackman. She was a 1968 graduate of Boston Nursing School, now New England Baptist, and graduated anesthesia school from Charlotte Memorial Hospital in 1973. She was a certified registered nurse anesthetist until her retirement in 2012. Barbara loved helping people through her chosen profession and was even recognized by her peers for her excellent work through receipt of the Marie McManus Award. Barbara also loved life, people and friends. She enjoyed entertaining and cooking as well as planning and organizing travel with her family. She was a very generous woman and was always doing for others. Barbara was a member of St. John Neumann Catholic Church, where she was captain of a team that prepared meals for the Men's Shelter in Charlotte for around 15 years. 2012 was the hardest and yet the best year of Barbara's life. Although she was diagnosed in February with lung cancer and had to suffer through the side effects of a daily chemo pill, she also witnessed the birth of her four grandchildren in the past year. In July she realized a dream to travel with her husband to Ireland, the birthplace of her ancestors, and hike to the Blarney Castle. Surviving are her loving husband of 37 years, Larry Sladek; three children, Michael Sladek and wife, Sarah, of Huntersville, NC, Jessica Metta and husband, John, of Hood River, OR, and Kristen Walden and husband, Jason, of Raleigh, NC; sisters, Mary Jackman of Placida, FL, Patti Jackman of Bridgeport, CT, Donna Jackman of Charlotte, IL, and Joan Jackman of Emmitsburg, MD; and four grandchildren, Liesl Walden, Alex Sladek, Adrian Metta and Cecilia Metta. Her family will receive friends from 10:00 until 11:00 A.M. Saturday, December 29, 2012, at St. John Neumann Catholic Church, 8451 Idlewild Road, Charlotte, NC 28227, with a memorial mass to follow at 11:00 A.M. A reception will follow the service at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Humane Society of Charlotte, 2646 Toomey Avenue, Charlotte, NC 28203, or Hospice & Palliative Care, Charlotte Region, 1420 E. 7th Street, Charlotte, NC 28204. Condolences may be offered at www.mcewenminthillchapel.com.