Sister Barbara Barton, OP (Sister Thomas Aquin) of the Dominican Sisters of Hope, entered eternal life on March 4, 2024, in Wall Township, New Jersey. She was 86 years of age.
The daughter of the late Joseph J. and Florence (McGarigle) Barton, she was born July 4, 1937, in Upper Darby, Pennsylvania.
Sister Barbara entered the novitiate of the Dominican Sisters of Newburgh in September 1958, made her First Profession in June 1960, and Final Profession in August 1966. Sister Barbara earned her B.A. in elementary education from Mount Saint Mary College, Newburgh; her B.M. in music from Marywood, Scranton Pennsylvania; and her M.A. in music from Marywood.
Sister Barbara taught in schools in Elizabeth City and Durham, North Carolina from 1963 to 1967. In 1968, having moved to New York, Sister taught piano at Mount Saint Mary Music School in Newburgh for 10 years. For a year (1978-1979) she taught at Guardian Angel Elementary School in New York City. Sister went on to serve in the music ministry at St. Nicholas of Tolentine Parish in the Bronx from 1979 to 1984 and at Our Lady Queen of the Angels Parish in New York City from 1989 to 1990. Sister Barbara was also rehearsal pianist for shows and accompanied the concert choir and madrigal singers at Mount Saint Mary College in Newburgh for seven years.
While living at the Webster Apartments, a residence for working women in New York City, (1990-94), Sister served on-call with Special Services, Emergency Night Call Service. For the next three years, (1994 -1997), Sister Barbara was engaged in a variety of services for the Congregation. She taught music at Dominican Academy in Fall River, Massachusetts for two years, (1997-99) and served as sacristan for the Center of Hope in Fall River, Massachusetts from 1999 to 2001.
Sister Barbara is survived by her Dominican Sisters of Hope, her sister Particia Burns, five nieces and four nephews. She is predeceased by her parents Joseph and Florence Barton, her brother Joseph Barton, and her sister Florence Guerrera.
Sister was interred at the Dominican Sisters’ Cemetery at Mount Saint Mary in Newburgh.
Arrangements were under the direction of Brooks Funeral Home, Gidney Avenue, Newburgh.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Sister Barbara’s name can be made to the Development Office of the Dominican Sisters of Hope, 299 North Highland Avenue, Ossining, NY 10562.