Sister Barbara Spencer, one of the founding staff members at Youth Villages, has died at age of 90 at the home of her order, the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth in Kentucky.

She was a joyful, driving force at Youth Villages for more than 30 years and left a deep legacy in the lives of the children and young people she helped, as well as the staff she hired, nurtured and mentored. Late in her career, she led the organization’s internship program, giving hundreds of students their introduction to careers in children’s services. She retired from Youth Villages in 2016.

“Because of her faith, I think she saw the face of Jesus in every child she met no matter their behaviors,” said Patrick Lawler, CEO of Youth Villages. “She loved each one and cared for them.”

She had a wonderful sense of humor, and many who knew her have their own favorite “Sister Barbara stories.”

One story Lawler shared took place during her early years of service on a Youth Villages residential campus. He walked into a cottage and found a celebration being led by Sister Barbara. He asked a staff member what was going on.

“Our kids went to public schools in the community back then,” he remembers. “They were celebrating a boy in the cottage who had brought home a report card with a high F grade!” It was the best he had ever done.

“He had all passing grades after that,” Lawler said. “Sister Barbara always found creative ways to reach young people. Everyone loved her. She filled every place with joy.”

Before coming to Youth Villages in 1980, Sister Barbara worked for the Catholic Diocese of Memphis and was the principal of the school at St. Michael’s Church in Memphis.

Sister Barbara’s work at Youth Villages and in the community was featured in these two articles:

Sister Barbara Spencer instrumental in Youth Villages’ success

Sister Barbara Spencer: An interview.

Her wake will be Sunday, Oct. 12 at 6:30 p.m. EST in St. Vincent de Paul Church in Kentucky, followed by a funeral on Monday, Oct. 13 at 10:30 a.m. EST at the church. Services will be streamed at nazareth.org/live.

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