Sister Mary Barry, R.S.M, 88

Sister Mary Barry, R.S.M, a Sister of Mercy for 69 years, passed away peacefully at the age of 88 on April 20 at the Christopher House in Worcester. Sister Mary was born on Sept. 3, 1933, in Worcester, the daughter of William and Catherine (McKenna) Barry, both natives of Ireland.
Sister Mary attended Sacred Heart Elementary School and St. Peter High School, both in Worcester, before entering the Novitiate of the Sisters of Mercy in Leicester on Jan. 1, 1953.
On July 1, 1953, Mary was received as a novice. She made her first profession of vows in the chapel at Nazareth in Leicester on July 1, 1955, taking the name Sister Mary William. She pronounced final vows there on July 1, 1958. In 1969, Sister returned to her baptismal name, becoming known as Sister Mary Barry.
After receiving her bachelor's degree in biology and chemistry from Anna Maria College in 1959, Sister Mary taught at Blessed Sacrament School in Worcester. In 1964 Sister Mary earned a master's degree in teaching and science from The Catholic University, Washington, DC., following which she served as principal at Clearwater High School in Clearwater, Florida. In 1965 Sister returned to Worcester to teach biology and chemistry at Marian High School, Worcester. While continuing to teach part time, she also assumed the role of director of novices for the Sisters of Mercy.
In 1970 Sister Mary was named the superior and administrator at Nazareth Home for Boys in Leicester, a position she held for many years, while also serving as a member of the General Council for the Sisters of Mercy in Worcester. In 1990 she also accepted the role of administrator at Mercy Centre.
Sister Mary was predeceased by her parents William and Catherine (McKenna) Barry and her brother, Jesuit Father William Barr, a spiritual director and former member of the Jesuit Community of Weston, and by a brother-in-law, Bert May.
She is survived by her sister, Margaret Barry of Worcester, and her sister Kathleen (May) Voigt (Frank), of Barrington, Illinois, as well as by nephews and nieces, Mary Beth Knoeppe (Mark), William Barry May (Judy), Mark J. May (Kerry), Stephen J. May (Mindy), Helene K. May, J. Matthew May (Laura), and many grandnephews and grandnieces. Sister Mary also leaves her religious community, the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas.
The Funeral Mass for Sister Mary Barry will take place on Wednesday, April 27, at 11 a.m. at St. John Church, 40 Temple St., Worcester. Calling hours at the church from 9:30 to 10:45 will precede the Funeral Mass.
Funeral arrangements are under the care of the Athy Memorial Home, 111 Lancaster St., Worcester.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Sister's memory may be made to the Sisters of Mercy, 505 Mill St., #155, Worcester, MA 01602.