A former student remembered Sister Barbara: “Her presence exuded both discipline and religious devotion. I admired her and never forgot her.”
Catholic San Francisco
Sept. 23. 2020
Notre Dame Sister Barbara Hamm died on Aug. 29, 2020 at Mercy Retirement & Care Center in Oakland. In 2019 she celebrated her 75th anniversary as a Sister of Notre Dame de Namur. She was 93 years old.
Sister Barbara held an undergraduate degree in history and graduate degrees in education administration and religious education, all completed at her congregation’s Notre Dame de Namur University in Belmont.
Sister Barbara spent 30 years as an elementary school teacher and administrator in schools including Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Redwood City, and Notre Dame des Victoires and Mission Dolores in San Francisco.
“From her earliest years, she loved to dance; even in her recent years at Mercy Retirement and Care Center in Oakland, she often used her cane to tap dance her way through the halls,” the Notre Dame Sisters said in a statement.
A former student remembered Sister Barbara: “Her presence exuded both discipline and religious devotion. I admired her and never forgot her.”
A memorial Mass will be celebrated for Sister Barbara when COVID-19 restrictions are lifted.
Survivors include Sister Barbara’s sister, Marilyn Hooton, nephew Bill Hooton and niece Carolyn Strang.
Remembrances may be made to Sisters of Notre Dame, 1520 Ralston Ave., Belmont 94002.