Sr. Barbara Cavanaugh Rsm

1924 - 2025

Sr. Barbara Cavanaugh, RSM
04/02/1924 - 06/09/2025
Sister Barbara Cavanaugh, died at the age of 101, on June 9, in Burlingame. Born April 2, 1924 in Ione, CA to Richard and Hilda Hyde Cavanaugh, she grew up in Ione and Lodi with siblings, Joseph and Mary Therese.
After completing high school at St. Mary's in Stockton, Barbara went to San Francisco, inspired by her aunt, Sister Mary Anthony Cavanaugh. She graduated from St. Mary's College of Nursing in 1946, and entered the Sisters of Mercy that same year. She professed vows in 1949 and was given the religious name, Sister Mary Maurice. Following profession, she spent four years in charge of a dorm at St. Joseph's Military Academy in Belmont, then was delighted to go back to nursing at St. John's Hospital in Oxnard, for ten years.
In response to the call of Pope John XXIII to religious to send members to Latin America, the Community opened a mission in Acora, Puno, in one of the poorest regions in Peru, 12,500 feet in the Andes. After much preparation, Barbara was one of the first four Sisters of Mercy and the only nurse, who arrived on January 14, 1964.
Barbara first learned Spanish, then Aymara, one of the languages of the beautiful Lake Titicaca region. She also learned local health practices so that she could respect traditions and learn where she might best direct her teaching, focusing primarily on safe childbirth practices. She also became an expert in herbal medicine, and other indigenous practices.
She loved coming to know the people of the Altiplano, the beauty of the region and mentoring young women, some of whom became Sisters of Mercy.
After 30 years in Peru she spent time in renewal, ministered in St. Peter's Parish in San Francisco, and studied Healing Touch techniques which she utilized in a variety of settings, eventually becoming an instructor. When she retired to Burlingame, her room was decorated with carvings, pictures and textiles from Peru. Visits from Peruvian Sisters whom she knew as children were always a special joy.
She is survived by her nephews, Michael, Paul, Daniel, Patrick and Robert; and their families, and her loving community of the Sisters of Mercy.
A Vigil Service will be held at 3:00 p.m., on July 7, and the Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on July 8 at 10:30 a.m. Services will be held at Marian Oaks Chapel, 2300 Adeline Drive, Burlingame.
Memorial gifts may be made to the Sisters of Mercy, 2300 Adeline Drive, Burlingame, CA 94010.