Barbara Dale O'Leary

Barbara Dale O'Leary (known as "Dale") passed away on Saturday, November first. She and Terrence O'Leary, her husband of sixty two years, were residents of Avon Park for twenty years after moving from their former residence in North Providence, Rhode Island. In addition to her husband, she leaves four children: her daughter Kelly O'Leary of Washington, D>C.; her son Terrence, Jr. of Dripping Springs, Texas; her son, Thomas of Avon Park; and her son Bryan of Avon Park and Byron Bay, Australia.

Mrs. O'Leary was a member of Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church in Avon Park where she at one time taught classes in Sacred Scripture. She grew up in New Britain, Pennsylvania, and graduated from Smith College in 1963. She was a prolific writer, having published two books and more than five hundred newspaper and magazine articles covering the critical social, religious and political issues of our times. She appeared regularly on local TV in Providence, Rhode Island, was once featured nationally on "Good Morning America,” and was a frequent guest on Eternal World Television Network. She also appeared in a PBS documentary on religion in America. Mrs. O'Leary was also an international speaker, having delivered talks in Italy, Hungary, Austria, Ireland, El Salvador and the Philippines. She attended both the U.N. International Conference on Population in Cairo, Egypt and its Conference on Women in Beijing, China during the nineteen nineties, representing the pro-life lobby.

Among those who knew her well she was considered an extremely knowledgeable and interesting person, as well as a faithful Christian woman. Despite the controversial issues she wrote and spoke about, she was known to be as charitable toward her adversaries as they were respectful of her.

Visitation will be held on Monday, November 10 from 6 to 8 PM at the Stephenson-Nelson Funeral home in Avon Park. A funeral Mass will be said at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church on Tuesday, November 11 at 11AM, followed by a reception in the Church's Grogan Center .. Burial ceremony will be held at Bougainvillea Cemetery at 1 :30 PM Tuesday.

Arrangements entrusted to:
Stephenson-Nelson Funeral Home
Avon Park, Florida
Online condolences may be left at
www.stephensonnelsonfh.com