Barraco obituaries/memorials, Tangipahoa Parish, Louisiana ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm ************************************************ Name, date of obit, date submitted, submitted for the USGenWeb Archives by: Barraco, Felicie (Sister Mary Emily) d. 12 Jun 1995 Mar, 2001 Don Johnson ******************************************************************************** Memorial, Felicie Barraco (Sister Mary Emily), Tangipahoa Parish, Louisiana Submitted with permission of Dorothy Dawes, O.P. -- dmdawes@accesscom.net 580 Broadway, New Orleans, LA 70118, 504-861-8155, FAX 504-861-8718 or 865-8079 photos at http://www.dominican-sisters.net/stmarys/memoria/baracco.htm In Memory of [Sr. M. Emily Baracco] Dominican Sisters Congregation of St. Mary New Orleans Felicie Barraco February 16, 1916 - June 12, 1995 "I'm leaving everything in God's hands." --Sr. Mary Emily, June 4, 1995 The eldest of five with an Italian-Irish father who worked at the port and an Irish-French mother who told her of the sisters who long ago came across the sea from Ireland to St. John's, tiny, quiet Felicie graduated from Our Lady of Lourdes elementary school, went to night school to further her education, and nurtured her dream. One day her brother came home from school with a message from Sister Mary Angela: if they had older sisters at home who might want to be Dominicans they should send them to her. It was, to seventeen-year old "Phil," a call. She explained that she didn't have money or much education, although she had learned some cooking and sewing from her mother. Sister told her she wouldn't need a thing. Trunk and "trousseau" could be supplied. Her mother had become deaf from a strep infection, but Felicie believed God would provide. Monsignor Pastor, concerned for the mother, withheld his letter of recommendation. "We know her; we don't need the letter," said Mother Catherine, and the postulant entered August 4, 1933, the Feast of St. Dominic. Fourteen novices were there; ten postulants came and some went. Five received the habit in June; four made vows in 1935. Three (Sisters Emily, Gertrude and Patrick) celebrated their silver, then golden jubilees together. For the diamond (sixtieth) anniversary, only "little Emily" was left. No one who was with her during this busy time can forget her joy. She had recovered from strokes, and had learned to cope with hearing loss and more severe, loss of vision, working her way back to her morning receptionist post at Dominican Conference Center. Guests wanted to "put her in a pocket" and take her home. Though a competent food service manager in her middle years even under sometimes adverse conditions, she was a true artist and professional at her sewing. A grand-niece wore one of her handmade dresses to her diamond jubilee and such a short time later, to her funeral. Few may recall that she was also a gifted teacher. Sr. M. Peter Casteix, then school supervisor, counted her one of the outstanding primary teachers of the archdiocese. Three of her first graders from St. Agnes, Baton Rouge, 1940, remembered and came to say their last goodbye. Many gave witness to what she taught them outside the classroom. "I learned from her," was heard over and over. She had almost total recall of events, and though reserved, loved people, reaching out to strangers. Her ten-year career in the mail-room at St. Mary's Dominican College taught her of her power with people. She was loyal, trusting, and sensitive. Although fiercely independent, she learned to ask for the extra help she grew to need. A bundle of energy, she had to give up much of what was precious to her, like her sewing. She would tell you, if you were interested, how she wrestled with God and gave in. Just before her jubilee on June 4 she told a good friend, "I'm leaving everything in God's hands." She had only days left, but no one knew. This diminutive, dynamic, simple, pure soul, full of wonder, faith, and humor has left her mark wherever she walked with her quick sure step. She left us so quickly. A wise friend said, "It was hard on everybody but her." ******************************************************************************** File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/la/tangipahoa/obits/obitssur/barraco.txt