Daughter of Charity Sister Barbara Mulvehill passes away

Intermountain Catholic

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MARYVALE, Calif. — Sister Barbara Mulvehill, a Daughter of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul, died Dec. 12, 2012, the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, while preparing roses for the Maryvale, Calif. chapel.

Sr. Barbara served as a dedicated educator at Our Lady of Talpa School in Los Angeles and at many other Catholic schools, including two in Utah. She often served as principal before going to Maryvale to oversee the early childhood education programs. At Maryvale, a residential treatment facility serving children since 1856, Sr. Barbara also oversaw the spiritual development and liturgical programs.

Barbara Ellen Mulvehill was born in St. Louis, Mo., on Jan.7, 1942. She began her postulancy in 1959 at Marillac Provincial House in St. Louis, and made vows for the first time on July 19, 1965. She received a Master of Arts in Education from the University of San Francisco in 1985. As an educator specializing in science, social studies and religion, she taught mostly at the 7th- and 8th-grade level. She also served as principal at Notre Dame School in Price, Utah. Other missions included St. Vincent School, Perryville, Mo.; St. Vincent de Paul School, Phoenix, Ariz.; St. Olaf School, Bountiful, Utah; and Most Precious Blood School, Denver, Colo.

According to Sister Betty Marie Dunkel, social ministries councillor, Daughters of Charity, Province of the West, Sr. Barbara was well-loved and respected. "Sr. Barbara had a long history of kidney disease, transplants and eventually had to be on dialysis three times a week. She was an inspiration by how she was right back at work as soon as possible and was always happy and never complained. She did not have the attitude of a person in ill health," said Sr. Betty Marie.

Sister Linda Mulvehill, also a Daughter of Charity, was inspired by her sister Barbara. "I entered the Community in 1956; she entered in 1959," she remembered. "All I can truly say is Barbara was an inspiration to me throughout her life. I always looked up to her for my model as a true Daughter of Charity with the virtues of humility, simplicity and charity."

Sr. Barbara was missioned to Maryvale in 1991, where she resided at the time of her death. She celebrated 50 years vocation on June 5, 2010. She is survived by her siblings: Sr. Linda Mulvehill, who is missioned at St. Vincent’s, Santa Barbara, Calif.; and Elaine Manos.

A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated in the Maryvale Chapel of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal in Rosemead, Calif.