Sister Barbara Mary Lanham, OSF, age 78, of the Hospital Sisters of St. Francis died Oct. 19 at St. Francis Convent, Springfield.

Sister Barbara Mary was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, on Sept. 7, 1935, the daughter of Bernard and Mary Penderry Lanham. She entered the congregation on Feb. 11, 1952, and professed her religious vows on Oct. 4, 1954.

Sister Barbara Mary was a graduate of St. John's Hospital School of Nursing and later earned a BSN from Loyola University. She served the community as a nurse at hospitals in Illinois. She worked in the Occupational Therapy Department at St. Francis Convent, Springfield, and also served as assistant to the health coordinator from 1971 until 1984. For several years, she volunteered at Health First Clinic and at Catholic Charities Clinic for Kids. From 1993 until her health would no longer allow, she worked in the Liturgy Department at St. Francis Convent.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by three brothers; Charles, John, and James Lanham; and one sister, Coralou Lanham.

She is survived by one brother, Theodore M. Wardein of Santa Cruz, Calif.; two sisters, Mona Wilson of Godfrey and Kathryn Ortiz of Davenport, Iowa; several nieces and cousins; as well as her Franciscan sisters with whom she shared her life for over 61 years.

The Eucharistic Celebration and Rite of Christian Burial were held Oct. 23 in the St. Clare of Assisi Adoration Chapel at St. Francis Convent with Father Andre Schludecker, OFM, celebrant. Burial was at Crucifixion Hill Cemetery.

Kirlin Egan and Butler Funeral Home, Springfield, was in charge of arrangements.