Sr Mary Barron OLA,13th February 1940 to 17th January 2026
On Tuesday 20th January 2026, OLA Sisters, joined by Mary’s brother Michael and her sister Alice, her nephews and nieces, relatives and friends, and the Infirmary Staff gathered in Ardfoyle Chapel to thank God, for the life of Sr. Mary Barron, to bid farewell and to entrust her to God as she goes to her final resting place. Mary was a remarkable woman who lived a vibrant and fruitful OLA missionary life to the full.
The Chief Celebrant Fr. John Gallagher, SMA, was accompanied by several other SMA priest and Fr. John Grennan, a Carmelite Priest a cousin of Mary.
Sr. Mary Crowley the District leader welcomed all present and thanked her family who loved and supported her all through the years. Indeed, she always loved going home to Kilkenny and being with her family, who she deeply loved. Sr. Mary Crowley also thanked all those who cared for Sr. Mary: our OLA Sisters and our infirmary staff who cared for her so lovingly and compassionately, and the doctors and medical personnel who are always ready to respond to our needs.
Sr. Mary was from Glenmore, Co. Kilkenny, a proud Kilkenny woman. After her first profession in 1961 she went briefly to the novitiate house in Rostrevor to teach music.
When she returned to Ardfoyle she started her studies in Music and Maths in U.C.C.
In 1966 after her graduation, she taught for a few years in Ardfoyle Secondary School and was also appointed as Principal.
In 1973 she was sent to Nigeria where she spent some years teaching Music and Maths in OLA schools in Akwanga and Effurun. After that she was invited to be a formator in OLA Novitiate house, Ibadan. Mary believed deeply in the power of education, and her influence lives on in the many students and novices she inspired.
In 1981 she returned to Ireland where she spent the next seventeen years in leadership roles. She was known for her compassion, her contemplative spirit, and her ability to listen. Many remember her as a woman of prayer, integrity, and inner strength.
Following on her long period of leadership, Mary had a time of sabbatical before returning to Nigeria in the year 2000 to teach catechetics in Warri. Within a few years, she was recalled back to Ardfoyle to assume the ministry of Community leadership in Ardfoyle which she fulfilled diligently.
From 2013 to 2022. Mary worked in the Ardfoyle Archives. A ministry she was truly devoted to, ensuring that countless stories, documents and photos were preserved. She approached it with care, respect, and a sense of responsibility to the past.
Mary loved music especially classical music, she was a beautiful singer and played the organ for many years in Ardfoyle Chapel.
Sports was her passion – especially Hurling. She was a faithful fan of her home County, Kilkenny. She followed the world of tennis with real passion and excitement and watched all the major tournaments. She had the privilege of going to Wimbledon, an experience that any tennis fan would treasure.
Mary was a precious gift to OLA, and to the many people she encountered throughout her missionary life. She was gentle, firm, fair, caring, and attentive to detail.
In recent years she has been in the Infirmary. Gradually her health deteriorated but her presence was very much felt there, inspiring always in her gentleness and graciousness, witnessing to the silent presence of God’s mystery.
We pray that Mary will be rewarded for her faith and her life-long commitment to God’s service.
We are grateful to God for Mary’s life and gift to OLA.
Requiescat in Pace