Sylvia Barra

Sylvia L. Barra, 83, of Royal Oak, MI, passed away on Sunday, August 17, 2025, in the care of the Residence at Village Greens, Sinking Spring, PA, after a long illness.

Born in Reading, she was a daughter of the late Dr. Sylvio J. Barra and Genevieve M. (Karl) Barra. She graduated from Central Catholic High School in 1960 and graduated from Duquesne University with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1964.

For over 30 years Sylvia worked as a biologist supervising the production of flu vaccines with Parke-Davis (now Pfizer) of Rochester, MI. She was a member of the parish of the National Shrine of the Little Flower Basilica in Royal Oak, MI. Sylvia enjoyed gardening, photography, traveling, and spending time with friends and neighbors.

Sylvia is survived by her sisters, Kathryn Barra and Rosemary Caruso (wife of Joseph), and brother, James R. Barra (widower of Catherine). She is also survived by her nieces and nephews, Joseph Barra (husband of Sara), Carmela Barra, Cathryn Barra, Dr. Joseph A. Caruso, and Dr. Andria Caruso.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, August 23, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at Gethsemane Cemetery Mausoleum, 3139 Kutztown Rd, Reading, PA 19605. Friends and family may visit from 9:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. at Kuhn Funeral Home & Crematory, Inc, 5153 Kutztown Rd, Temple PA 19560. Condolences may be expressed at kuhnfuneralhomes.com.