Sr. Barbara Marie Mullen

Feb. 20, 1929 - June 12, 2016

A religious of the Holy Child Jesus for 66 years, Sr. Barbara died at the age of 87 at Huntington Memorial Hospital in Pasadena, Calif. A longtime administrator and teacher at Mayfield Senior School in Pasadena, Sr. Barbara is remembered for her message of gratitude, joy and faith in God’s love.

Born in Lansford, Pa. in 1929, she entered the Society of the Holy Child Jesus in 1947 in Rosemont, Pa. She immersed herself in the Society’s educational ministry while completing her bachelor’s degree at Villanova and her master’s degree in educational psychology and guidance at Fordham University.

She received teacher’s credentials in New York and California. In 2000, she earned a master’s in feminist spirituality and continued her love of learning in religious education at Immaculate Heart College, Stanford University and Columbia University.

Sr. Barbara was a dedicated and well-loved teacher and administrator all her life, sharing her devotion to the values of a Holy Child education. She taught at St. Edward’s, St. Leonard’s and St. James in Philadelphia, Pa. She was principal at Sts. Peter and Paul in New York, St. Leonard’s and St. James. She also served as principal of Assumption in Pasadena.

She took a well-earned sabbatical in England, returning to California to teach at Alverno High School in Sierra Madre and Bellarmine-Jefferson High School in Burbank.

During the last 25 years she served at Mayfield as Dean of Students and Assistant Head of School. Later roles included Director of Women’s Research and Director of Formation to Mission.

She is remembered for her genuine desire to get to know students, establishing relationships that went far beyond four years of high school. She was teacher, counselor and spiritual adviser, guiding students and others with wisdom, intellect, honest insights and above all, devotion to our Lord.

“We have lost a beautiful and beloved friend who taught us all so much about the mighty love that God has for all of us,” said Mayfield Head of School Kate Morin. “Her presence among us brought Holy Child spirituality to life every day, inspiring all around her.”

Sr. Barbara was committed to the empowerment of young women and never missed an opportunity to connect with students.

“She had this incredible way of finding us where we were on our faith journey and then guiding us along the way,” said former student Sheila Roohan, 20, who attends Notre Dame University. “She never put herself first. It was God first and everyone else.”

The daughter of Anthony and Marie Mullen, Sister was one of five children. She was predeceased by her parents, three brothers and a sister. She will be greatly missed by her SHCJ sisters, brother-in-law and sisters-in-law, her nieces and nephews, Mayfield faculty and students, her prayer group, caregivers and many friends.

In lieu of flowers please make a gift to:

The Society of the Holy Child Jesus Retirement Fund

1341 Montgomery Ave.

Rosemont, PA 19010

http://www.shcj.org/american/giving/ways-to-give/

The Sr. Barbara Mullen Fund for Mission and Ministry

Mayfield Senior School

500 Bellefontaine St.

Pasadena, CA 91105

https://www.mayfieldsenior.org/give-online

tion of Calvary Mortuary, Los Angeles, CA.