Obituary

 

Sister M. Janice Barry, IHM

Sister M. Janice Barry, IHM, of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary died on Tuesday, September 22, 2020, at Our Lady of Peace Residence in Scranton.

She was born on March 14, 1927, in Pittsburgh, PA, and given the name Rita. She was the daughter of the late Francis and Mary Kennedy Barry. She entered the IHM Congregation on September 8, 1945, made her temporary profession of vows on May 8, 1948, and her final profession of vows on August 2, 1951.

Sister Janice served as a teacher at the following schools: St. Ephrem Elementary School in Brooklyn, NY, from 1948 to 1956; Holy Rosary High School in Scranton, PA, from 1956 to 1959; St. Mary High School in Manhasset, NY, from 1959 to 1964; Central Islip High School in Islip, NY, from 1970 to 1971; St. Dominic High School in Oyster Bay, NY, from 1971 to 1973 and 1987 to 1991; St. Rose High School in Carbondale, PA, from 1973 to 1975; Notre Dame High School in East Stroudsburg, PA, from 1981 to 1984; Cathedral High School in New York, NY, from 1985 to 1986 and 1991 to 1996; and St. Rosalia Academy in Pittsburgh, PA, from 1996 to 1997.

Sister also served as a principal at the following schools: St. Paul High School in Scranton, PA, from 1964 to 1967; St. Patrick High School in Scranton, PA, from 1967 to 1969; Immaculata High School in New York, NY, from 1969 to 1970; St. Mary High School in Manhasset, NY, from 1975 to 1976; and Bishop Hannon High School in Scranton, PA, from 1986 to 1987.

Sister Janice also served as a research assistant at the University of Pittsburgh in Pittsburgh, PA, from 1976 to 1977; lab technician at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Carbondale, PA, from 1977 to 1981; rehabilitation counselor at Emmaus House in Elberon, NJ, from 1984 to 1985; volunteer at the soup kitchen at Intersection in McKeesport, PA, from 1997 to 2007; and as a Telespond volunteer at the IHM Center from 2007 to 2011, and at Our Lady of Peace Residence, both in Scranton, PA, from 2011 to 2014.

From 2014 until the time of her death, Sister Janice was a prayer minister at Our Lady of Peace Residence in Scranton.

She received a Bachelor of Arts degree in education from Marywood College, and a Master of Science degree in biology from the University of Notre Dame.

She was preceded in death by a brother, Francis; and two sisters, Sister M. Johanne, IHM, and Mary B. Dixon.

She is survived by a brother, Thomas of Carnegie, PA; nieces and nephews; grandnieces and grandnephews. She is also survived by the members of the IHM Congregation.

Interment will be at St. Catherine’s Cemetery in Moscow, PA.  Due to restrictions related to the coronavirus, the funeral mass and graveside service are private.

Memorial contributions may be made to support the retired IHM Sisters c/o the IHM Sisters Retirement Fund, IHM Center, 2300 Adams Avenue, Scranton, PA 18509.

Funeral: https://video.ibm.com/recorded/128107852

Combined Vespers Prayer Service:  https://video.ibm.com/recorded/129826105


Reprinted from "In Memoriam" section of Journey, Fall 2020 issue

Sister M. Janice Barry, IHM

Reflection given by Sister Mary Persico, President of Marywood University, at Sister's funeral on Thursday, October 1, 2020:

Sister Janice Barry spent her life in the education profession. Her role in schools primarily included that of teacher and/or administrator. When she wasn’t ministering in one of her school assignments, her role as “teacher” in the broadest sense of the word never ceased to be a part of her life. For many, she was a lifelong mentor, wisdom figure, and role model. Among all her work, there was one ministry tucked in at the end of her active years that captured her imagination and brought her a great sense of fulfillment. For several years in her early 80s, Janice volunteered at a food pantry and soup kitchen in a small neighborhood on the outskirts of Pittsburgh, PA. There she packaged meals and supplies for homeless persons, served
breakfast and lunch to the underserved, and basically, walked the daily journey with those who came to the door. Even on holidays such as Christmas, it was important for her to be at the food pantry with her new-found friends.

In addition to Sister Janice’s commitment to community and ministry, she was deeply devoted to her family, especially her many nieces and nephews, their children and extended families. She mourned the loss of her two nieces, Martha and Rita, who preceded her in death, as well as her parents, brother Fran, and sisters, Sister Johann and Mary. Her remaining younger sibling, Tom, was able to attend her 70th Jubilee, where many in the family joined in celebration.

Her final years at Our Lady of Peace were a time of peace for Sister Janice. She enjoyed the presence of her Sisters in Household 3B and celebrated both the joys and sorrows of their collective life together. The nurses and aides were faithful in their care for her and were instrumental in keeping her quality of life at a strong level until the very last day of her life.

In thinking about characteristics that defined Sister Janice’s life, these come to mind: she was reflective, quick-witted, humble, and grateful for every kindness, gesture, or gift that she received in life. Having fulfilled her covenant with God, she was ready to leave us, and we have set her free to go to the place where her life has led her.

Sister Janice loved and lived the words of the prophet Micah:

Do Justice.
Love Mercy
Walk humbly with our God.