Sister Francita Barringhaus, a longtime leader of hospital radiology departments, died Feb. 11 at The Sarah Community in Bridgeton. She was 95 years old and a Franciscan Sister of Mary for 76 years.
A memorial Mass will be held in the chapel at The Sarah Community at a future date.
Doris Mathilda Barringhaus was born June 18, 1925, in Holstein, Missouri, the third of seven children born to Frank Joseph and Mathilda (Glosemeyer) Barringhaus. Doris entered the Sisters of St. Mary on October 29, 1944. She received the name Sister Francita, and she professed final vows June 5, 1950. She earned a bachelor’s degree in radiologic technology (1953) and a master’s degree in education (1968), both from Saint Louis University.
In 1949, she began working in the radiologic technology department at Saint Louis University; after completing her bachelor’s degree, she worked in X-Ray at St. Mary’s Hospital. In 1956, she became supervisor of radiology at Firmin Desloge Hospital. From 1961-66, she served as radiology supervisor at St. Mary’s Hospital in Kansas City and director of the two-year school for radiologic technologists there.
In 1966, she returned to St. Mary’s in St. Louis to assist in radiology and to earn her master’s in education. She was supervisor of radiology at Cardinal Glennon Children’s Medical Center (1968-1969) when she was asked to serve as chairperson of the Department of Radiologic Technology at Saint Louis University. She accepted this position and remained there until 1976. She then served as supervisor of St. Mary’s (St. Louis) radiology department until mid-1980.
In 1980, she returned to Cardinal Glennon as supervisor of pediatric cardiology. From 1981-90, Sister Francita served the congregation as secretary general. She then served as co-director of St. Mary of the Angels Convent (1990-95). From 1995 to 2000 she served at Almost Home as secretary and volunteer coordinator and then as a volunteer from 2000-08. In May 2010, she moved from the convent to The Sarah Community.
She is survived by two brothers, Don Barringhaus of Marthasville and Ralph Barringhaus of Maryland Heights.
Burial will take place at Resurrection Cemetery.
