Sister Barbara Doherty
Formerly Sister Vincent Ferrer
Sister Barbara was born on December 2, 1931 and died on August 17, 2020.

Home » Sister Profiles »
Biography
Here is a link to view the funeral services for Sister Barbara.
Sister Barbara, formerly Sister Vincent Ferrer, entered the Congregation on February 2, 1951. Her final ministry was in prayer at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods.
Sister Barbara was inspired at the age of 7 to become a Sister of Providence by an aunt who had also joined the Congregation.
Many of Sister Barbara’s ministries were in education, including many years as President of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College and the director of the Institute of Religious Formation at Catholic Theological Union in Chicago.
Here is Sister Barbara’s complete ministry:
In Indiana: Teacher, St. Paul, Sellersburg (1953-56); Teacher, St. Agnes Academy, Indianapolis (1960-62); Teacher Formation Program/Mistress of Postulants, Sisters of Providence (1963-65); Teacher, Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College (1965-67); Teacher, Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College (1971-73); Teacher, Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College (1974-75); President, Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College (1984-98); Coordinator, Office of the Shrine of Saint Mother Theodore Guerin, Saint Mary-of-the-Woods (2007-2010); Prayer, Saint Mary-of-the-Woods (2011-2020).
In Illinois: Teacher, Immaculate Conception, Chicago (1956-60); Co-Provincial/Director of Christian Development, St. Joseph Province, Park Ridge (1975-83); Director of the Institute of Religious Formation, Catholic Theological Union, Chicago (1999-2007).
Obituary
Read more
Sister Barbara is featured in the following content on the Sisters of Providence website:
- Oral history: Sister Cathy Campbell the storyteller
- Newsnotes from the Sisters of Providence fall 2021
- Called to transformation, called to transform
- SMWC honors legacy of Sister Barbara Doherty
- Remembering Sister Barbara Doherty
- Sister Barbara Doherty: A Sister of Providence icon living with dementia
- Providence people: a reflection for Providence Associate rite of first commitment
- Final intern projects are from the heart
- Newsnotes HOPE summer 2017
- Election and inauguration reflections
- Sister Barbara Doherty
Photographs
Click images to view larger.
Share this:
Donate in her honor
Has this sister made a difference in your life? Help continue the mission.
Get in touch
Use our form to reconnect with or reach out to a current Sister of Providence.