Sister Barbara Rose McCarthy, OP (formerly Sister Mary Gerald) of the Dominican Sisters of Hope, died September 9, 2024, in Caldwell, NJ. She was 93 years of age.

The daughter of the late Harry E. and Agnes Devlin McCarthy, she was born June 12, 1931, in North Bangor, New York.

Sister Barbara entered the novitiate of the Dominican Sisters of Fall River, Massachusetts in August 1948, made her First Profession in August 1950, and Final Profession in August 1953. Sister Barbara earned her BA in English from Regis College and her MA in English from Boston College.

Sister Barbara taught various levels at Dominican Academy in Fall River, MA from 1948 to 1970. Within this time span she held the position of principal of both elementary and secondary levels at Dominican Academy. From 1970 to 1977, Sister was a supervisor for the Fall River Diocesan School Department and later on, assistant superintendent for schools in the Diocese of Fall River. Sister Barbara was a member of the general council of the Dominican Sisters of St. Catherine of Siena, Fall River and Prioress General of the Congregation. After leaving office she was pastoral associate at St. Alphonsus parish in Tupper Lake, NY. In addition, she served on the Tupper Lake Community Food Pantry Board, the Tupper Lake Disaster Preparedness Committee, and the Tupper Lake Alliance for Community Service. She was Congregational Representative for the Ogdensburg Diocesan Council of Religious, a member of the Bishop’s Fund Committee for the Diocese of Ogdensburg, and CORE-Diocesan Organization of Parish Ministers.

Sister sang with the St. Alphonsus parish folk Choir and volunteered at Saint Alphonsus Parish in Tupper Lake NY. She was an avid reader and had a great love for music. She is remembered for her love of studying, her keen sense of humor and the particular interest she took in the lives of her students.

Sister Barabara is survived by her Dominican Sisters of Hope and her nephews. She is predeceased by her parents, Harry and Agnes McCarthy, and her siblings Geraldine Leanard and John McCarthy.

A celebration of Sister Barbara McCarthy’s life will take place on Friday September 20, 2024, at Holy Trinity Church in Fall River, MA.

A wake service for Sister Barbara will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m., followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 a.m. Immediately following the liturgy Sister will be buried in Notre Dame Cemetery in Fall River, MA.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Sister’s memory can be made to the Dominican Sisters of Hope Development Office, 299 North Highland Ave, Ossining, NY 10562.