Sister Raphael Barry, 79

Sister Raphael Barry (Mary Ann Barry), 79.

Sister Raphael Barry (Mary Ann Barry), 79, died on Jan. 2 at Teresian House. Sister Raphael was born in Fermoy, County Cork, Ireland on Sept. 2, 1944, the daughter of John Barry and Josephine Dale Barry.

Sister Raphael attended Our Lady of the Assumption Elementary School in Fermoy, Ireland.  She came to the United States in 1960 and completed her secondary education at Watervliet High School in Watervliet. In September 1961, she entered the Sisters of the Presentation in Watervliet. Sister Raphael’s home parish in Ireland was the very parish from which the sisters who founded St. Colman’s in Watervliet had traveled. She made first vows at St. Colman’s in 1963 and pronounced final vows there in 1966.

Sister Raphael received bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education from Russell Sage College in Troy. Her early days of ministry were devoted to the care of children with special needs. She then ministered in parish elementary schools in the Albany Diocese and in parish sacramental programs.

Sister Raphael’s life was a long journey, following the call of the Spirit. That journey found her leaving her beloved Ireland, entering the religious community she knew as a youngster, and ministering with a joyful presence serving the youngest of God’s children. As her ministries and residences changed, Sister Raphael’s life was grounded in her conviction that she was called to religious life. Responding to that vocation led to another transition, a continuation of her journey, this time as a member of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet. In serving the “dear neighbor,” Sister Raphael brought her kind, empathic and generous gifts to each person she met. She had the gift of truly seeing every person in a way that allowed them to know they were valued.

Sister Raphael was predeceased by her parents. She is survived by her brother, William Barry, and ­sister, Patricia Clifford, both living in Fermoy County, Cork and her niece, Audrey Kenny. Sister Raphael will lovingly be missed by her friend, Nancy Payne, the Sisters of St. Joseph, especially those who are residents of the Teresian House, and by all the caregivers who have provided for her. Her funeral liturgy was celebrated on Jan. 8 at St. Joseph’s Provincial House.

Contributions in Sister Raph­ael’s memory may be made to the Office of Mission Advancement, St. Joseph’s Provincial House, 385 Watervliet-Shaker Road, Latham, N.Y., 12110.