In Memoriam: Sister Barbara Carvalho

Sister Barbara Carvalho RSHM died peacefully the morning of December 22, 2015 at Marymount Convent. Sr. Barbara was 98 years old and in the 75th year of her Religious Profession. President Kerry Walk and the entire Marymount Manhattan College community remember Sr. Barbara and join with the RSHM community in celebrating her life of service.

Sister Barbara Carvalho RSHM was born Rita Pinto Carvalho in Forles, Vizeu, Portugal, on March 27, 1917 to Albino F. De Carvalho and Virginia Pinto Caido.
 
She entered the Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary in Guarda, Portugal on May 15, 1939, where she then made her first vows on April 22. 1941. She also made her final vows in Guarda on April 26, 1946.                            

Sister Barbara’s first years of religious life were spent in Portugal, ministering in Guarda and Guimarães. In 1947, she left her beloved Portugal to begin a new ministry in the United States. She was a member of the support staff at Marymount in Tarrytown, NY (1947-1951), Marymount School of New York in New York City (1951-1958), and Marymount College in Tarrytown. (1958-1960).

In 1960, Sister Barbara moved to Marymount Manhattan College in New York City to begin a 40-year ministry with students, faculty, and administrators. In recognition of the impact she had on the college and on those with whom she worked, MMC each year awards The Sister Barbara Carvalho Endowed Scholarship to students who demonstrate academic merit and financial need.

Sister Barbara befriended many of the Portuguese families living in the New York area and her work with them was recognized by the Archdiocese of New York as part of the Archdiocesan ministry to immigrants.

In 2000, Sister Barbara retired from active ministry and moved to Marymount Convent in Tarrytown, NY. She was a member of the community at the time of her death.

She is survived by family in Portugal and Brazil and by the members of her religious community. (source)

Published: December 22, 2015