Sister Barbara Maria Bamberger died in Paoli Hospital on Tuesday, April 5, 2022, in the 62nd year of her religious life.
Barbara Ann Bamberger was born on May 9, 1939, in Philadelphia. Barbara’s parents Hiram Paul and Mary Lucilla (McGowan) Bamberger raised their daughter in Philadelphia until their move to St. Pius X Parish in Broomall. Barbara attended Good Shepherd Elementary School in Philadelphia (1945-1953) and Villa Maria Academy High School in Green Tree, PA (1953-1957). Barbara then attended Immaculata College from 1957 through 1960. Later, while in Community, Sister completed degree work at Immaculata and earned degrees from Temple University and the University of Notre Dame.
Barbara Ann entered the Community on July 16, 1961; she received her habit and her religious name Sister Barbara Maria on January 16, 1961, and professed First Vows on January 16, 1963.
Sister Barbara Maria’s ministry of teaching grade school and high school students began in the fall of 1963. Sister served as a classroom teacher (grade 7) and a full-time music instructor at Annunciation Elementary School/Parish in Bellmawr, NJ. In 1969 served as Music Instructor at Villa Maria Academy Lower School in Green Tree. In the fall of 1976, Sister taught high school students at Archbishop Prendergast High School in Drexel Hill (1976-1982) and Holy Name High School in Reading (1982-1983).
In the fall of 1983 through August 1986, Sister Barbara served our Sisters in Camilla Hall as a member of the staff. In 1986, Sister had the opportunity to study at Notre Dame University, after which she returned to Camilla Hall Service as the Director of Liturgy and Activities – Sister remained in this capacity until August 1989.
From the fall of 1989 through June 2016, Sister Barbara showered her gifts of loving service in the following ministries:
Newman Center – University of Pennsylvania 8-89 – 8-91
Office of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia 8-91 – 8-94
St. Matthew Parish Ministry, Forestville, CT 8-94 – 8-97
Our Mother of Perpetual Help House of Prayer 8-97 – 8-98
St. Aloysius IHM Conference Center, Bryn Mawr 8-98 – 8-03
Our Lady of Mt. Carmel in Berlin, NJ – Liturgist/Music Director 8-03 – 8-05
Diocese of Camden, Assistant Director in the Office of Worship 8-05 – 8-11
St. Joachim Parish Bellmawr, NJ, PT Pastoral Associate 8-11 – 8-16
Camilla Hall, Immaculata, loving service and gentle presence 8-16 – 2-22
God rest Sister Barbara; she went to heaven with full hands and a full heart!
Sister Barbara Maria’s IHM Community, her Camilla Community, her step-brothers Robert Muller, Sylvester Muller, and her many nieces, nephews, and cousins survive Sister. Sister’s parents Hiram Paul and Mary Lucilla (McGowan) Bamberger, her step-sisters Helen (Muller) Hanahoe, Marion (Muller) Shanley, and step-brother William Muller predecease Sister.
Reverend Michael Callahan, C.M. and Reverend John Burger, SSC concelebrated Sister’s Funeral Mass on Saturday, April 9, 2022, at 10:30 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to:
Camilla Hall Nursing Home
IHM Mission Advancement Office
230 IHM Drive
Malvern, PA 19355