Barbara Joan Rogers, rscj, a member of the Religious of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, died on September 7, 2026, in Barnstable, MA. A daughter of the late Charles F. and Barbara (Murphy) Rogers, she is survived by her brother Charles F. Rogers, Jr. (Martha) of Providence, RI, her sisters, Sally J. Rogers of New York City and Nancy E. Rogers of Rumford RI, and her brothers, Paul V. Rogers (Barrett) of Bethesda, MD, Michael L. Rogers (Christine) and Patrick A. Rogers (Megan), both of Rumford, RI. She was the aunt of Charles (Sarah), Peter (Meaghan), Mary Adair (John), David (Marina), Christopher (Abigail), Emily, Colin, Michael (Megan), Matthew, Margaret, Katherine, Anne, Daniel, Timothy, Claire, Ellen, Brendan, and Madeleine, as well as her grandnieces and grandnephews, Maeve, Charles, Henry, Knox, Chase, Bode, Bennett, Frances, Penny, Jack, and Michael. She is also survived by her dear friend and caregiver, Kathleen Scully Hodges, and Sarah McRell and Liam McRell. The Religious of the Sacred Heart mourn the loss of their sister. Barbara was deeply loved by her family, religious sisters, and many friends. She was widely respected for her wise leadership, kindness, and generosity.
A graduate of the Convent of the Sacred Heart Elmhurst, Manhattanville College, and Yale University School of Management, Sister Rogers entered the Society of the Sacred Heart in 1978, made her first vows in 1980 in the chapel at Newton Country Day School of the Sacred Heart, and made her final profession in 1985. Sister Rogers worked at the Sacred Heart schools in Princeton, NJ, Bethesda, MD, Chekalini, Kenya, Miami, FL, and Newton, MA.
Barbara served as Headmistress of Newton Country Day School of the Sacred Heart for 34 years (1989-2023). She transformed the school while maintaining its deep roots in the Sacred Heart mission. A visionary and determined leader, she was known for her courage, candor, and willingness to say what needed to be said. Above all, she was devoted to educating young women to lead with faith, intellect, integrity, courage, and confidence.
Barbara also served as President of the Association of Independent Schools in New England, and as a trustee of the College of the Holy Cross, Manhattanville College, Mother Caroline Academy, St. Sebastian’s School, St. John’s High School in Shrewsbury, and Catholic Memorial School. In recognition of her transformative leadership and lifelong commitment to Catholic education, the College of the Holy Cross awarded her an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters in 2025.
In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Sister Barbara Rogers, rscj, may be made to the Sacred Heart Endowment at Newton Country Day School of the Sacred Heart. Established to honor Barbara’s legacy and leadership, the Endowment provides tuition assistance, carrying forward her commitment to ensuring that a Sacred Heart education is accessible to a diverse community of young women.
Gifts may be made through the Sacred Heart Endowment or mailed to:
Newton Country Day Advancement Office, 785 Centre Street, Newton, MA 02458.
Please designate gifts: Sacred Heart Endowment in Memory of Sister Rogers.
Memorial gifts may also be made to the Society of the Sacred Heart, United States–Canada Province, in support of the life and mission to which Barbara devoted herself.
A wake will be held on Friday, September 11, 2026, from 4 to 8pm at Newton Country Day School of the Sacred Heart. The funeral Mass will follow on Saturday, September 12, 2026, at 11:30am at Campion Center, 319 Concord Road, Weston, MA 02493.