White, Barbara Leah, O.P.
08/11/1935 - 07/20/2022
Sr. Barbara Leah White, O.P.
Sr. Barbara Leah White, O.P. (Mary Martha) entered eternal life on Wednesday, July 20, 2022. Sr. Barbara was born in Houston, TX, on August 11, 1935, to the late Ernest and Martha Baranski White. She was predeceased by her sister Theresa Kennedy and brother Ernest White. She is survived by her sister Martha White and partner JR Remington; sister Beverly Childs and brother-in-law Richard Childs; and sister Bridgette Schattle and brother-in-law Gerald Schattle; and numerous other extended family members.
Sr. Barbara graduated from Saint Agnes Academy and entered the Dominican Sisters of Houston in 1953. She earned her B.A. in English and Art at Dominican College, Houston and her M.R.E. in Religious Education at University of St. Thomas, Houston. She completed studies in Theology and Liturgy at the University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN and received Certification in Spirituality at Gonzaga University, Spokane, WA. She also was awarded Certification in Hospital Chaplaincy at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston.
Sr. Barbara served in education ministry at St. Mary School, Port Arthur, TX; St. Elizabeth School, Port Neches, TX; St. Francis De Sales School, Riverside, CA; St. Frances Cabrini School, Houston; Queen of Peace School, Lamarque, TX; St. Thomas More School, Houston; and St. Mary School, Houston. She served as Director of Religious Education at All Saints School, Houston; Sacred Heart Parish, Conroe, TX; St. Luke the Evangelist Parish, Houston; St. Jude Parish, Beaumont, TX, and Epiphany of the Lord Parish, Katy, TX. She also served as a Pastoral Minister at Sacred Heart Parish, Conroe, TX.
Sr. Barbara’s compassion for the suffering led her to devote her later years to Chaplaincy at M. D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. She also ministered as a staff Chaplain at Christus St. Elizabeth Hospital in Beaumont, TX. Her congregational service included her ministry at the Villa as sacristan, receptionist, and driver. Sr. Barbara will be remembered for her strength and grace in dealing with difficulties, her positive attitude toward her limitations, her unfailing hospitality, encouragement and support of others, and her quiet and independent spirit.
Sister’s body will be welcomed at 4:00 p.m. and the vigil service will be at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, July 25, 2022, at St. Dominic Villa Chapel, 6504 Almeda Rd. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, July 26, 2022, at 10 a.m. at St. Dominic Villa Chapel. Burial is at Forest Park, Lawndale at 1:00 p.m. Both the vigil and funeral services will be live streamed at https://www.facebook.com/EarthmanBellaire. In lieu of the usual remembrances, donations may be made to Dominican Sisters of Houston, 6501 Almeda Road, Houston, TX, 77021.