A Notable

We were “Barbara's Ladies.”

Although that eventually became our identity, we were never ladies in waiting in the tradition of royalty

Rather we were taught and inspired by Barbara’s example that there was always time for “The Girls.” The young women were sheltered in a haven once called Madonna Heights and now under the loving embrace of SCO.

Most of our group had not been friends or even ancquaintances until we reluctantly accepted the invitation from the beautiful petite blonde lady who had the strength of steel.

Barbara was not a lonely woman seeking for others to fill her days. Rather she was the wife of a highly successful businessman and the Mother of 8 children. Yet there was a hidden compartment in her heart saved for the girls committed to the care of the Sisters of Good Shepherd and the healing comfort of Madonna Heights.

Sometimes I welcomed her invitation to bake cookies or wrap gifts or help organize a yard sale.

Truthfully, there were days when overwhelmed with my own complicated life I resisted before succumbing. And yet I never once regretted when I participated.

As I recall, we gathered on Monday evenings when the week was still young, and we were not yet weary. We drove to Burrs Lane on icy roads to wrap Christmas gifts, and on hot afternoons to set tables for picnics. Still the work was incidental to the giggles, laughter and sheer pleasure found in sharing Barbara’s commitment to "The Girls."

And she did it with such style and grace. For several years Barbara organized elegant High Teas for the small group of Sisters who were the devoted caregivers.

After leaving the house on Burrs Lane at the compulsory age of 18, often many of the young women returned to visit the nuns they always called “Mother."

Barbara and her "Ladies" shared many adventures traveling abroad with all profits returned to the care of "The Girls." We giggled, dined, and boarded buses, trains and planes, for ever so long until life took its inevitable toll and age intervened.

Many of our group have now departed. including our inspirational leader, but we few who remain will never forget the joy of being invited to be one of Barbara Tyree's ladies.