(1934-2026)

Richmond, Virginia, was the birthplace of Barbara Nash Gentry, the only child of James and Catherine (Nash) Gentry, on October 13, 1934. Her parents bestowed Catherine’s maiden name on her as her middle name, following a Southern tradition of honoring both sides of the family.

When she was old enough for school, she attended public school for two years until James and Catherine transferred her to St. Paul School. There, she was taught by the Benedictine Sisters of Virginia, a congregation based in Bristow, and she was immediately drawn to the religious life of the Sisters who were her teachers.

Her high school years were spent at St. Gertrude High School, an all-girls’ school in Richmond also run by the Benedictine Sisters, and in September 1953, after having graduated that June, she made the roughly hundred-mile trip from Richmond to Bristow to enter the congregation.

She was received as a novice in March 1954 and given the religious name Sister Mary John. Little is known about her earliest years with the Benedictines, but in a brief autobiography she wrote that she had studied music in school and done well, and so, while still a novice, she was given charge of the Sisters’ choir when the choir mistress died.

Read more about Sister Barbara (PDF)

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)

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