PORTLAND – Sister Mary Grace Barton, aka Joyce Barton, 84, a Sister of Mercy of the Americas and a dedicated business teacher, died peacefully Nov. 18, 2009, at Maine Medical Center after a sudden illness. A native of Bangor, Sister M. Grace entered the Sisters of Mercy in 1944 from St. John’s Parish, Bangor. She attended St. John’s Elementary School and John Bapst High School, Bangor. She pursued a Bachelor of Arts degree in elementary education and a Bachelor of Science in business education from St. Joseph’s College, Standish. Sister M. Grace received her M.S.A. from Notre Dame University, Indiana. Sister Mary Grace taught in many parochial schools in Maine. She began her elementary teaching career in 1946 at Kavanagh School – Cathedral, Portland; Our Lady of Ransom School, Mechanic Falls; Cathedral Grammar School, Portland; Immaculate Heart of Mary School, Fairfield; St. Mary’s School, Biddeford; and Sacred Heart School, Portland. In 1966 Sister Mary Grace began her high school career as a business teacher at Cathedral High School, Portland and continued at McAuley High School, Portland, from 1969 until her death. For 40 years, she lovingly looked forward to her ministry at McAuley, enjoying the students, staff and families. After retiring from the classroom, Sister Mary Grace worked in the business office giving the same dedication to the students and families in a new capacity. Sister Mary Grace never wanted to retire from school; she wanted to die “with her boots on” and God granted her that blessing. Sister Mary Grace was predeceased by her parents, George and Grace Hughes Barton; and her brother, Walter R. Barton. She is survived by her brother, Charles R. Barton of Bangor; her sisters, Barbara A. and Philip Dufour of Camden and Constance M. and Donald Soucy of Bangor; several nieces and nephews; and her Sisters in community. Visiting hours will be 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 22, with a prayer service 7 p.m. at St. Joseph’s Convent, 605 Stevens Ave., Portland. A concelebrated Mass of Christian burial will be held 4:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 23, at Convent Chapel with the Most Rev. Richard J. Malone, Th.D., Bishop of Portland, presiding. Burial will be 8:30 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 24, at New Calvary Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent in Sister Mary Grace Barton’s memory to Catherine McAuley High School, Advancement Office, 631 Stevens Ave., Portland, ME 04103. Arrangements respectfully handled by Conroy-Tully Crawford Funeral Home, 172 State St., Portland. Online condolences may be expressed at www.ctcrawford.com.
SISTER MARY GRACE BARTON
