Oct. 22, 2014

Latham, NY – A Mass of Christian Burial for Sister Barbara Mary St. Andrews, a Sister of St. Joseph of Carondelet for the past 56 years, was held Oct. 17, in the chapel of St. Joseph’s Provincial House, Latham.

She died Oct. 14 at St. Joseph’s Provincial House; burial was in Our Lady Queen of Virgins Cemetery on the Provincial House grounds.

A memorial Mass will be held at St. Joseph’s Nursing Home in Ogdensburg, Oct. 25 at 10 a.m.

Sister Barbara was  pastoral-care coordinator at St. Joseph’s until illness necessitated her move to St. Joseph’s Provincial House this past May.

Sister Barbara was born in Plattsburgh April 4, 1938, daughter of the late Neil and Margaret Behan St. Andrews. After graduating from Canton Central High School, she began her higher education at The College of Saint Rose in Albany.

On March 19, 1958, Sister Barbara entered the novitiate of the Sisters of St. Joseph in Troy, NY, and professed final vows as Sister Andrew Marie Aug. 6, 1965. She received a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and a master’s degree in education/reading, both from The College of Saint Rose.

Sister Barbara served for 51 years in the field of education: 25 years in the elementary grades in schools of the Albany and Syracuse dioceses; four years in English and reading at Mater Dei College in Ogdensburg; and 22 years at SUNY/Canton where she served as a reading/writing lab coordinator, as an EOP counselor and as an academic probation counselor.

Sister Barbara was a woman of faith, prayer and service. In the classroom, in the learning lab and in the nursing home, she was ever aware of the call of the Sisters of St. Joseph to bring God’s unifying love to all she met through the special lens of reconciliation, compassion and hospitality.

Her warmth, patience and respect for those to whom and with whom she ministered endeared Sister Barbara to students, parents, family members and colleagues.

Blessed with a love of music, she was a talented singer who shared her skills as a member of church choirs, community theaters and North Country Pro Musica.

Sister Barbara is survived by her brother, Neil St. Andrews of Colton; her sister, Mary Ann Freeman of Saratoga Springs, NY, and their families; friends and colleagues; and the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet.

In addition to her parents, Sister Barbara was predeceased by many dear friends in the Sisters of St. Joseph, with special mention of her sponsor in religious life, Sister Mary Ancilla Leary.

Contributions in Sister Barbara’s memory may be made to the Development Office of the Sisters of St. Joseph, 385 Watervliet-Shaker Road, Latham, NY 12110.