Mary Adrian Barrett
Mary Adrian Barrett, I.H.M., commonly referred to as Sister Adrian (February 14, 1929 – October 12, 2015), was an American
Early life and education
She was born Dorothy Marie Barrett in 1929 in Scranton and raised in Dunmore, Pennsylvania, one of five children of Paul Adrian Barrett and Mildred Padden.[2] Her father was a newspaper editor who made a point of teaching his children compassion and responsibility for less fortunate people.[3]
At 17, Barrett joined the Scranton-based
Career
As a teacher, Barrett served at Catholic schools in West Pittston, Pennsylvania; Carbondale, Pennsylvania; Silver Spring, Maryland; Williamsport, Pennsylvania; and Oyster Bay, New York, as well as other locations. While teaching in Oyster Bay, she became chairwoman of the town's Democratic Committee and leader of the Community Social Action Council, working for better low-income housing on Long Island.[5]
In 1970, Barrett was visiting Scranton on a break from teaching when she co-founded Project Hope, a summer camp for children without other summer recreation opportunities. In 1976, she returned to the Scranton area permanently, working with the United Neighborhood Centers on programming for children, poor and elderly residents of the area. Barrett was noted for organizing activities for poor families in Scranton, such as bus trips to
In 1985, Barrett was the subject of a public television documentary, "Sister Adrian, the Mother Teresa of Scranton," narrated by Martin Sheen.[9] She called the film "a bit much," and rejected the comparison to Mother Teresa.[10]
Among her honors, Barrett held honorary doctorates from
Personal life
Barrett stood just under five feet tall. She was known to prefer casual clothing in her work—earning her the nickname "Sister Sneakers"—but she often wore tailored tartan ensembles in formal situations.[14] In 2008, Barrett was active in support of the Obama presidential campaign in Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania.[15]
Barrett died in October 2015, age 86, at the retirement home in Scranton for the members of her congregation. A memorial service was held at her
Barrett's cousins included a Mayor of Scranton, James Barrett McNulty. Her sister, Marie D. Barrett, wrote a biography of her, which was self-published, in 2004, titled Sister Sneakers.[19]
References
- ^ "Obituary: Sister M. Adrian Barrett, IHM". Sisters of IHM.
- ISBN 9780761864691
- ISBN 9780761864691
- ^ "Mother Theresa of Scranton Finds Richness Among the Poor" Reading Eagle (December 1, 1985): D13.
- ^ The Friends of the Poor, History Archived 2015-10-16 at the Wayback Machine.
- ^ James O'Malley, "'Servant of the Poor' Sister Adrian Barrett of Scranton Dies at 86" Times Leader (October 12, 2015).
- ^ Iris Krasnow, "Scranton's Special Nun Subject of PBS Profile" Chicago Tribune (December 10, 1985).
- ^ Borys Krawczeniuk, "Sister Adrian Barrett, A Champion of the Poor, Dies at 86" Scranton Times-Tribune (October 12, 2015).
- ^ St. Patrick's Parade Association of Lackawanna County, "A Tribute to our Founding Fathers" 50th anniversary booklet.
- ^ Arlen Specter, "In Recognition Of Sister Adrian Barrett" speech on the floor of the U. S. Senate (April 24, 2002).
- ^ Paul E. Kanjorski, "Congratulating Sister Adrian Barrett For A Lifetime Of Service To Those In Need And Extending To Her Best Wishes For A Well Deserved Retirement" speech on the floor of the U. S. House of Representatives (January 13, 2009).
- ^ "Photos: Remembering Sister Sneakers" Archived 2015-10-16 at the Wayback Machine Scranton Times Tribune (October 12, 2015).
- ^ Kevin Merida and Jose Antonio Vargas, "Determined Steps in a Tough Slog" Washington Post (April 21, 2008).
- ^ Alicia Nieves, "Hundreds Gather to Remember Sister Adrian Barrett" WNEP News (October 14, 2015).
- ^ Elizabeth Baumeister, "Families Mourn Diocese of Scranton's Closing of Camp Saint Andrew in Tunkhannock" Times Leader (October 14, 2015).
- ^ Stacy Lange, "Friends of the Poor Thanksgiving Continues without Sister Adrian" WNEP News (November 24, 2015).
- ISBN 9780976421108.
External links
- Friends of the Poor, the organization founded by Sister Adrian Barrett.
- Project Hope, the camp program co-founded by Sister Adrian Barrett.