Sister Barbara Hunt, RSM

Sister Barbara Hunt, RSM (also known as Sister Mary Johnetta) 93 years old died peacefully at Catholic Memorial Home in Fall River on September 6, 2023.  Sister would have celebrated 75 years in the Mercy community on September 8th.

She was the daughter of the late John and Annie (Noonan) Hunt of Fall River. She was preceded in death by her sisters Ruth Goulet, Dorothy Hunt, Anna Hunt, Esther Stephan, Hazel Arruda and her brothers John, Ralph and Herbert Hunt. She is survived by her nieces Barbara Arruda Blanco of Connecticut, Gayle Marzoff of Kansas, Patricia Bishop of Long Island, nephew Stephen Arruda of Florida, and several grand nieces and nephews.

Sister Barbara entered the Sisters of Mercy in 1948. She earned a degree in education from Catholic Teachers College. After a few years of teaching in the Diocese of Providence, Barbara returned to Fall River Diocese for her ministry. She taught at the Cathedral School where she had been a student and the parish for which her family was an essential support. She finished her teaching career in the New Bedford parish schools. Her students remember her enthusiasm and energy engaging them in the learning process.

Upon retiring from school, Barbara became a pastoral care minister at Holy Name, Sacred Heart parish in New Bedford. As a young sister she and her close friend Sister Timothea Riley, RSM on Saturdays would go out into the neighborhoods visiting the sick. In her pastoral work she used these early experiences as she helped people prepare rituals, brought Eucharist, and often just engaged in conversation. Anyone who knew her would attest to her love of talking but, more importantly, she knew how to listen.

Her motto was “To Jesus through Mary.” It is fitting that on her 75th anniversary of entrance she will be joined with her Mercy community in heaven to celebrate Mary’s birthday. On September 24th in the presence of Jesus and the heavenly community, she will be united with our Mercy community here as we gather to celebrate this year’s jubilarians.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, September 12, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. in St. Stanislaus Church, 36 Rockland Street, Fall River.  Visitation will begin at 9:00 a.m. with a Mercy Prayer Service at 9:45 a.m.  Interment will be in St. Patrick Cemetery, Fall River.  In place of flowers, contributions may be made to the Sisters of Mercy, 15 Highland View Road, Cumberland, RI, 02864. www.sistersofmercy.org 

Information and condolences please visit www.galloglyfuneralhome.com

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