Joyce Mary Barina

Joyce Mary Barina, age 93, daughter of Dr. Melville and Gertrude (Watson) Junion, passed away peacefully January 20, 2025 at St. Monica’s Senior Living in Racine. She was born in Green Bay, Wisconsin, September 14, 1931, the first of four daughters to the late Dr. Melville and Gertrude (Watson) Junion.

Joyce graduated from St. Patrick’s Grade School in 1945 and St. Joseph’s Academy in 1949. She received a scholarship to attend the College of St. Teresa in Winona, MN which she attended for 3 years. Joyce left St. Teresa and became a cloistered Dominican nun at St. Dominic Monastery in LaCrosse, WI. She remained with the order for 5 years and then completed her Bachelor of Arts degree in English and Speech/Drama from the College of St. Catherine in St. Paul, MN in 1960. She was chosen for a teaching position at Washington Park High School in Racine and relocated in January of 1960. Racine has been her beloved home ever since.

In October of 1960 Joyce attended a Thomist Association breakfast and met Jerry Barina, a young attorney at that event. They began dating in January of 1961 and were married in October 1961. Joyce always said that marrying Jerry was the best thing that ever happened to her. They were happily married for 61 years.

She also served as an office assistant for Jerry’s law practice and became Director of the Paralegal Program at Carthage College in Kenosha. Later in life, she earned a Master of Theology degree from Sacred Heart School of Theology (1995). She taught courses there in “Women’s Stories from the Bible” and after teaching served for 15 years on their Board of Directors.

Joyce was active in the Racine community and her church, St. John Nepomuk Catholic Parish. Joyce was president of the Racine Lawyers’ Wives Association, a member of the mayor’s commission for cable TV, served on the Custom Museum Commission and the Board of Directors for Family Service of Racine. She also was nominated several times as Woman of the Year in Racine. Joyce was active in the AAUW including being past-president of the Racine branch and recording secretary for the State of WI AAUW. At St. John’s she served on the Prayer and Worship Committee, was trained as a lay-prayer leader and served as a lector, Eucharistic minister, and sacristan. She also is fondly remembered for serving as a Eucharistic minister at All-Saints Hospital.

Joyce enjoyed diverse leisure activities and was proud of learning to swim in her 40’s at the Racine YWCA. She loved playing marathon bridge, and sheepshead. Gardening, both vegetables and flowers, brought her joy. She traveled with her beloved Jerry to visit family around the US and also enjoyed visiting Jamaica, Hawaii, Ireland, Italy, Belgium and the Czech Republic. Joyce was an avid Wisconsin Badger, Marquette, Packer, Brewers and Bucks fan.

Joyce is survived by her sister Lynne Frits (Marvin Hellenbrand), many godchildren, nieces, nephews, other relatives, and dear friends. She was preceded in death by her husband Jerome Barina, sisters Nancy Junion and Carol Jones.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Monica’s Senior Living Chapel, 3920 N. Green Bay Rd, on Friday January 31, 2025, 11;00 a.m. Interment will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery, Hwy 32. Visitation will be held in the chapel on Friday from 10:00 a.m. until time of service at 11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers the family would appreciate memorials to St. Monica’s Senior Living Community

Heartfelt thanks to the entire staff of St. Monica’s Senior Living and to the St. Croix Hospice team for their supportive, loving and compassionate care.