Sister Barbara Rose Donahue

It is with great sadness that the family of Sister Barbara Rose Donahue announces her peaceful passing on May 18, 2020 at the age of 90. Sister Barbara was born September 29,1929 in Highland Park, Michigan to Emmett and Ella Donahue. She was the youngest of ten children, in a close knit family. The family through the encouragement of their mother formed the vaudeville troupe, “Nine Dancing Donahues.” July 2,1945 Sister Barbara entered the Sisters of St. Joseph, Nazareth, Michigan, where she took the name Sister Mary Leah. She continued her education earning a Masters of Arts degree in Sacred Doctrine in 1968 from St. Mary’s College at Notre Dame. She returned to Michigan to continue her work with her students Religious Education. In 1971 after much prayer and reflection, Sister Mary Leah left the Sisters of St. Joseph for the Sisters for Christian Community. At this time, Sister returned to her birth name, Barbara. She continued to follow her heart and love of education. Sister Barba ra became a principal in Ann Arbor Michigan. The call West beckoned and Sister Barbara along with her dear friend and lifelong companion Sister Mary Therese Martin moved to Casa Grande, Arizona where they lived and taught on the Tohono O’odham Indian Reservation. Eventually, they moved to Tucson where Sister Barbara continued to teach elementary school until her retirement in 1995. After her retirement, Sister Barbara never stayed still. She enjoyed traveling the US and the World. Sister Barbara conti nued her religious calling with the Sisters for Christian Community and at St. Pius X Parish in Tucson, AZ where she ministered to many and volunteered her time with the choir, bible study, and other activities. Sister Barbara will be greatly missed by the loving members of the parish. Sister Barbara quietly passed away at Peppi’s House in Tucson, AZ. She is predeceased by all her siblings: Emmett, Jack, Denny, Tom, Dick, Betty, Kaye, Nancy and Rita. She is survived by Sister Mary Therese Martin, many lo ving nieces and nephews as well as very close friends near and far. Funeral services will be scheduled in Tucson at a later date due to COVID 19 Sister Barbara will be buried in Owosso, Michigan in the future. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Pius X Catholic Church, 1800 N. Camino Pio Decimo, Tucson, Arizona 85715, or the charity of your choice. As Sister Barbara always wished everyone, “ Hope, Love, and Charity”.