Sr. Mary Bellarmine Barnes, CSJ, entered eternal life May 10 at the age of 86.

Geraldine Barnes was born in Detroit on July 8, 1929, to Edward and Lillian (Siwicki) Barnes. She entered the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Nazareth on July 1, 1946, and received the name Sr. Mary Bellarmine at her reception Jan. 3, 1947. She pronounced first vows Jan. 3, 1949, and final vows Jan. 3, 1952.

Sr. Barnes earned a degree in mathematics from Nazareth College. She taught at St. Margaret Mary in Detroit; St. Henry in Lincoln Park; St. Michael in Pontiac; St. Francis Xavier in Ecorse; and Villa St. Anthony in Comstock, until 1967. She later provided health care to the sisters at Fontbonne Manor in Nazareth, and earned a master’s degree in occupational therapy from Western Michigan University. She also worked at St. Luke’s Art Studio, Nazareth Center, served as a substitute teacher and worked in jail ministry programs through Kalamazoo/Plainwell Public Schools. She also served as an occupational therapist at the Veterans Medical Center in Battle Creek.

Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated May 17 at Holy Family Chapel in Nazareth.