Posted August 29, 2022

Sister M. Barbara J. Troutman, IHM (Formerly Sister M. Paul Catherine, IHM) died in Camilla Hall on July 25, 2022 in the 63rd year of her religious life.

 

Barbara was born on September 9, 1939 in Bridgeport, PA. Sister’s parents

Paul H. and Catherine (McGee) Troutman raised their family in St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Norristown. Barbara attended St. Francis of Assisi Elementary School (1945-1953) and Mount St. Joseph Academy in Chestnut Hill (1953-1955) and Bishop Kenrick High School (1955-1958).

Sister Barbara entered the Community on February 11, 1959; she received her habit and her religious name Sister M. Paul Catherine on August 17, 1959 (in the late 80s Sister returned to her baptismal name). Sister pronounced First Vows on August 17, 1961.

For the first twenty years of Sister Barbara’s ministry, she taught children in SS. Philip and James in Exton (1961-1968); St. William in Philadelphia (1968-1975); St. Ann in Phoenixville (1975-1979); and Holy Family in Philadelphia (1979-1981).

For the next twenty-three years of her ministry (1981-2004), Sister served the Motherhouse Community in many and varied ways, chief among them hospitality. Sister Paul Catherine took care of our two resident priests – Bishop Martin Lohmuller and our chaplain Reverend Joseph McLaughlin O.Praem. Sister was gracious and loving as she ministered to our priests and all here at Villa Maria House of Studies.

In August 2004, Sister Barbara went to serve our Sisters at Camilla Hall as a staff member. Sister worked diligently in the Pharmacy Department for a number of years. Sister also served as a driver – a much-needed service. During the course of Sister’s ministry in Camilla (2004 – 2022), she never lost the zest and joy of generosity throughout Camilla. In the end, Sister’s death was sudden. She returned to the Lord with heart and hands full.

In addition to her IHM Community, her nieces, nephew-in-law and grandnephew survive Sister. Her parents Paul H. Troutman and Catherine R. Troutman (McGee) and her sister Lois Marie Wilson (James) predecease Sister. Rt. Reverend John Burger, SSC celebrated Sister’s Funeral Mass on Tuesday, August 2, 2022 at 10:30 a.m. Reverend Joseph Novielli, O.Praem, Reverend Joseph McLaughlin, O.Praem, and Reverend Joseph Dieckhaus concelebrated.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to Camilla Hall Nursing Home, IHM Mission Advancement Office, 230 IHM Drive, Malvern, PA 19355.