Sr. Barbara Supanich, RSM, died Oct. 10 at McAuley Life Center after a year of intense chemical and radiation therapy.

Sr. Supanich was born on Mercy Day, Sept. 24, 1952, in Detroit, the oldest of four children of Donald and Mildred (Stanovich) Supanich. After graduation from Ladywood High School, she studied at Mercy College of Detroit and joined the Sisters of Mercy on Aug. 15, 1973. She completed her degree and went on to medical school at Michigan State University, where she graduated in 1980. The same year, she professed her perpetual vows.

After her residency in family practice medicine at Creighton University in Omaha, Neb., Sr. Supanich returned to Michigan to care for patients in Eaton Rapids, Grayling and Traverse City. She was also a faculty member at her alma mater, wrote articles for many medical publications and was a member of the American Academy of Family Physicians and the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine. She received a fellowship in palliative medicine at the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Fla., serving in that capacity for many years in Maryland, Iowa and Florida. When symptoms of advanced cancer appeared in her own life, she returned to Michigan and McAuley Life Center for care.

She is survived by her brothers: Dennis, Bruce and Brian; nieces, nephews, colleagues, friends and the Sisters of Mercy.

Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Nov. 12 at the Mercy Center Chapel, followed by burial in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Southfield.