Barbara A. Behan Ph.D.

Barbara A. Behan, Ph.D., age 68, of Erie passed away on Monday, April 4, 2011 at St. Mary's Home East. She was born April 10, 1942 in Erie the daughter of the late Laurence and Dorothy Lutz Behan. A graduate of St. Ann Grade School and Villa Maria Academy, Barbara completed a degree in mathematics at Mercyhurst College before teaching a year then joining GE Information Systems Operation where she developed a computer program for US Army staffing in the Pacific theatre and then programs for the onboard computer in a top secret space vehicle for GE Missile and Space Division. Returning to Erie in 1969, Barbara finished a master's degree in engineering science at Penn State University and became a computer center director at Edinboro University of PA, designing and teaching in its first academic program in computer science. After a stint as the systems analyst for the Corporate Treasury Department of Hammermill Paper, she completed a Ph.D. from the University of Pittsburgh in 1985 and joined the faculty of Mercyhurst College in mathematics and computer information systems. As a faculty member, Barbara served as department chair, dean of the Division of Natural Sciences & Mathematics, College Senate president, and member of the Board of Trustees, Faculty Policies Committee, and Middle States Core Committees before retiring as Vice President of Academic Affairs. In 1999, she was honored to receive the College's Teaching Excellence Award and in 2003 received the Distinguished Alumna Award. Over the years, Barbara had volunteered for various non-profits, including service on the Sisters of Mercy Education Council, advisory committees for the Diocese of Erie, and boards of Villa Maria Academy and Hooked on Books. A life-long avid golfer, she enjoyed playing at Lawrence Park Golf Club and directed for many years the regional Jean Forsyth Golf Tournament for Junior Girls. Her Catholic faith was a deep focus of her life and provided the impetus for her endowment of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Education Fund within the Catholic Foundation of the Diocese of Erie and for the Behan Fund of the Erie Community Foundation. She was a founding member of The Catholic Foundation Legacy Society and a long time lector at St. Joseph/ Bread of Life Community. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother, Laurence David Behan in 2002, great-nephew Nicholas David Pagano in 2009, and mentor and dear friend, Jean Marie Forsyth in 1999. Survivors include three brothers, William J. Behan of Sewickley, Pa. and his life partner Gary M. Vlachos; John M. Behan and his wife Jeanne, and Patrick R. Behan and his wife Lynda; and a sister-in-law Joanne M. Behan, all of Erie. Nieces and nephews; Colleen (Richard) Pagano, Bridget (James) Stevenson; Matthew Behan; Maura Behan; Megan Behan, Danielle Behan, all of Erie; Natalie (Scott) Bulera of Ben Avon, Pa. and Brian (Kelly) Behan of Sewickley, Pa. along with great- nieces/nephews, Alexandra Pagano, Lauren and Shannon Stevenson, and John and Grace Bulera and Keira Ann-Noelle Behan. The family wishes to thank the staff of VNA Hospice and St. Mary's Home of Erie for their wonderful care and dedication. Friends are invited to call at the John J. Quinn Funeral Home, West 9th & Liberty St. Friday from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. & 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. and are invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial Saturday at 10:00 a.m. in St. Peter Cathedral. Private burial will be in Calvary Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Immaculate Heart of Mary Education Fund, c/o The Catholic Foundation of the Erie Diocese, 429 East Grandview Blvd., Erie, PA 16504; the Behan Fund, c/o Erie Community Foundation, 459 W.6th St., Erie, PA 16507 or St. Mary's Home East, 607 E.26th St., Erie, PA 16504.