June 22, 1944 – February 1, 2025
Sister Mary Catherine Barron died peacefully at the Teresian House in Albany, New York, on February 1, 2025. She had been a Sister of St. Joseph for 60 years.
Mary Catherine (Cathy) was the oldest of seven children of Elizabeth MacEntee and Joseph Barron. Their father’s military career meant the family moved often until settling in Binghamton, New York. There, Cathy completed high school, and she entered the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet in 1962.
After professing vows in 1965 and earning degrees in English, Sister Mary Catherine taught English in high schools in the Syracuse and Albany dioceses. She was an amazing teacher, presenting material with an infectious enthusiasm and a deep spirituality that supported her ministry. She was respected and loved in each school where she taught.
Sister Mary Catherine’s gifts extended beyond literature. She loved Scripture, particularly the Old Testament. She made the narratives her own, eventually publishing several articles. As others learned of her gifts, Mary Catherine was asked to offer days of prayer, communion services and reflections for Lent and Advent. She continued this practice when many of the sisters moved to the Teresian House.
Along with her love for her community, Mary Catherine cherished her own family, visiting everyone faithfully. The family particularly loved Cape Cod, a favorite vacation spot. Often Sister Carolyn Schanz, a dear friend, came with Mary Catherine, always embraced by the family.
As Sister Mary Catherine’s own health diminished, she continued to volunteer in many ways, always willing to be of service. She was looking forward to helping with Advent prayers, but God had other plans.
Sister Mary Catherine is survived by her sisters: Patti Barron, Jo DelNegro, Liz Ferritti and Francine Matthews. She was predeceased by her parents; a sister, Joanne; and a brother, Stephen. She will be sorely missed by her family and friends and by the Sisters of St. Joseph.
A prayer service will take place at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 6 at St Joseph’s Provincial House in Albany. The funeral will take place Friday, February 7 at 10:30 a.m. at the Provincial House.
Contributions in her memory may be made to the Office of Mission Advancement. St Joseph’s Provincial House, 385 Watervliet-Shaker Road, Latham, NY. 12110 or donate online.
Fond memories of Sr in class and school plays. She was always a favorite teacher and well respected. Rest in peace.
Your sister was my favorite teacher and although I graduated CCHS in 1989 I often think of her fondly. She was exceptional. Please know I will keep you in my prayers.
Sr. Mary Catherine was my favorite and most influential teacher not only at Catholic Central but throughout my entire education. She was phenomenally smart and gracious with a sly, sharp wit and brilliant smile. I loved running into her and Sr. Carolyn at restaurants and events around the Capital District over the years – always put a smile on my face. I am so grateful to have known her and learned from her, as I’m sure hundreds of other former students are as well. Eternal rest, grant unto her, oh Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon her. May she rest in peace, and may her memory be a blessing to all of her family and friends.
Rest in peace, sister
Sr. Mary Catherine Barron’s grace and eloquence instilled in me a lifelong love of literature. In fact, I became an AP Literature teacher! The angels in Heaven will rejoice in her love for language and nature.
With great gratitude and eternal regard —
Mary Snay Sorrels
Sister Mary Catherine was my favorite teacher at CCHS. She was incredibly engaging and thoughtful in how she taught complex material to young minds. I can still remember her lovely smile. May she rest in peace.
Oh, Sister Catherine was beautiful. Long flowing blond hair, stylish and hip with a beautiful joyful spirit that was contagious and inspiring! She lived a vibrant life of faith and a love for literature.
She was my homeroom teacher and English teacher at Rome Catholic High.
Rest In love and peace
Sister Mary Catherine arrived at La Salle during my junior year and quickly made her mark, teaching my buddies and me two years of honors English. She inherited a tough batch of pseudointellectuals who naively believed we could show the new nun who was in charge. That illusion didn’t last long. We soon realized that the only thing tougher than SMC’s reading quizzes was her personality.
She led with a fiery passion for literature but also saw each of us as individuals with the potential to love it as much as she did. She pushed us to compete for the best reading parts in Macbeth while seamlessly guiding us through the layered—sometimes scandalous—nuances of Robert Herrick. I’ll never forget the time she stayed after class to discuss the hidden spirituality in an Audioslave song with me, proving that her love of literature and meaning knew no bounds.
As a teacher and coach today, I can only hope to earn the same respect and reverence from my students that Sister Mary Catherine earned from us. Good journey, Sister—you will be missed.
Thank you all, past students of my sister, Cathy, for all your loving comments and great insights to my sister’s life with you all through her teaching years. It was a wonderful treat and a real lift to my spirits to read your loving words and to honor my sister with your thoughts, insights and loving memories. Thank you all so much for sharing!
Liz Barron Ferretti