(1934-2026)

Sister Barbara Gentry died on Tuesday, August 4, 2026, at the Dominican Life Center in Adrian, Michigan. She was 91 years of age and in the 72nd year of her religious profession. 

In 1955 Sister Barbara made profession as a Benedictine Sister of Bristow, Virginia, and was known as Sister Mary John Gentry. She transferred to the Adrian Dominican Congregation in 1983 and was in her 44th year of profession in the Adrian Dominican Congregation.

Sister Barbara was born in Richmond, Virginia, to James and Catherine (Nash) Gentry. She graduated from St. Gertrude High School in Richmond and received a bachelor’s degree in theology from La Roche College in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and a master’s degree in religious education from Fordham University in New York. She was also certified as a massage therapist by the Carolina School of Massage Therapy in Carrboro, North Carolina.

Sister ministered six years in secondary education in Richmond. She was a pastoral minister for 22 years in Richmond and Ashland, Virginia, and Myrtle Beach and Conway, South Carolina, and a massage therapist for two years at the Institute of Higher Learning in Richmond. Sister Barbara also served the Congregation as a pastoral minister for six years at Maria Health Care Center in Adrian. She became a resident of the Dominican Life Center in 2014.

Sister Barbara was preceded in death by her parents. She is survived by loving family members and her Adrian Dominican Sisters.

Prayers of Committal were held on Thursday, August 6, 2026, in the Congregation Cemetery. The Vigil Prayer will be held at 7:00 p.m. ET on Tuesday, August 18 in St. Catherine Chapel. A Memorial Mass will be offered at 10:30 a.m. ET on Wednesday, August 19 in St. Catherine Chapel. Those not attending the upcoming services in person are welcome to participate via livestream at https://adriandominicans.org/Live-Stream.

Memorial gifts may be made to Adrian Dominican Sisters, 1257 East Siena Heights Drive, Adrian, MI, 49221. Funeral arrangements are being handled by Anderson-Marry Funeral Services, Adrian.

Sister's Memorial Card (PDF)

Vigil and Funeral Recordings

Note: To view recordings with closed captioning, they must be viewed on our public video library rather than through the links below.

Recording of Sister Barbara's Vigil Service - After clicking the link, download the recording by right-clicking on the video choosing "Save video as." Worship Aid (PDF)

Recording of Sister Barbara's Funeral Mass - After clicking the link, download the recording by right-clicking on the video choosing "Save video as." Worship Aid (PDF)

 

LEFT: Baby Barbara with her great-grandmother Gentry, 1935. MIDDLE RIGHT: Barbara as a seventh grader. RIGHT: Sister Barbara Gentry (Sister Mary John Gentry, OSB), with her uncle, Monsignor William Stephen Walsh of the Diocese of Youngstown, Ohio, and her cousins, twins Barney and Brian.

LEFT: Sister Barbara Gentry, standing, with Sister Mary Rosaleen Martin, 1983. MIDDLE: Sister Barbara Gentry with Ubu, 1997. RIGHT: Members of the 1986 Pastoral Care Team at Maria are, from left, Sisters Grace Dougherty, Barbara Gentry, and Jean Elizabeth Nugent.

Members of the New South Mission Group are, from left, Sisters Barbara Hubbard, Betty Condon, Carol Dulka, Mary Lequier, Barbara Gentry, and Susan Kresse.

Members of the 2014 Diamond Jubilee August Crowd are: back row, from left, Sisters Ana Feliz, Susan Mary Parker, Joyce Hibbert, and Patricia McCarty; middle row, from left, Sisters Diane Weifenbach, Barbara Gentry, Dorita Wotiska, Mary Trzasko, Dorothy Dempsey, Beth Ellen Butler, and Phyllis Kreiner; and front row, from left, Sisters Jeanine Boivin, Anele Heiges, Yolanda Pomante, and Ruth Anne Kelly. Not pictured are Sisters Louise Borgacz and Alice Marie Schmid.

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