Obituary of Sr. Mary Barbara Vennard

Sister Mary Barbara Vennard, CSJ Sister Mary Barbara Vennard, CSJ, 87, died on Easter Sunday, March 31, 2013, at St. Joseph's Provincial House, Latham, NY. She had been a Sister of St. Joseph of Carondelet for the past 68 years. Sister Mary Barbara, the former Jean Catherine Vennard, was born in Albany, NY, on April 30, 1925, daughter of the late Charles and Barbara Rohrmiller Vennard. She graduated from Cathedral Academy and worked as a bookkeeper at National Commercial Bank and as a typist at the Army Depot in Albany. On March 19, 1945, Sister Mary Barbara entered the novitiate of the Sisters of St. Joseph and professed final vows on August 15, 1950. She received a bachelor's degree in education and a master's degree in education, both from The College of Saint Rose. Sister Mary Barbara served for 53 years in schools in the Syracuse, Honolulu and Albany Dioceses, including 26 years at St. James School, Albany. In addition, she was a parish minister for six years in Albany and in Syracuse. Since 2005, she has been a volunteer at St. Joseph's Provincial House. Sister Mary Barbara was a woman of deep faith whose life was rooted in her love of God and in her desire to live out that love in service to others A dedicated teacher, she was attentive to the needs of all her students, especially those who found learning difficult A woman of humility, she had a gift for inspiring confidence in others through her warmth, patience and affirming smile. Sister Mary Barbara was devoted to her family, and they, in turn, were constant and unceasing in their tender care for her. A committed educator, a cherished family member, a faithful Sister of St. Joseph and a steadfast friend, Sister Mary Barbara was blessed with the final gift of entering into the fullness of everlasting life on Easter Sunday when the whole Church is taken up with the joy of the Resurrection. Sister Mary Barbara is survived by her beloved family: her sisters, Eileen Bond and Patricia Trapasso of Albany, and Barbara (Arthur) Crosby of Winter Haven, FL; her brother, Gerald (Barbara) Vennard of West Palm Beach, FL; her sister-in-law, Arlene Vennard of Albany; several nieces and nephews and their families; and many dear friends in the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet. In addition to her parents, Sister Mary Barbara was predeceased by her brothers: Charles, John and Robert Vennard; by her sister, Marilyn Sasso; by her brothers-in-law: Michael Sasso, John Bond and Joseph Trapasso; by her sister-in-law, Lucy Vennard; and by many dear friends in the Sisters of St. Joseph. Sister Mary Barbara's Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, April 6, at 9:00 a.m. in the chapel of St. Joseph's Provincial House, Latham. Interment will be in Our Lady Queen of Virgins Cemetery on the Provincial House grounds. Sister Mary Barbara's wake will be held at the Provincial House on Friday, April 5, from 4:00 - 7:00 p.m., with the prayer service at 7:00 p.m. Donations in Sister Mary Barbara's name may be made to the Development Office, Sisters of St. Joseph, 385 Watervliet-Shaker Road, Latham, NY 12110. For information or to light a memory candle for the family please visit www.dufresneandcavanaugh.com.