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Ruth Mary(Sr. Ruth) Barthle
Ruth Mary (Sr. Ruth) Barthle; She was born Apr 14, 1923 - Jan 11, 2021 (Num)
Sister Ruth remembers original St. Joseph's Hospital
Submitted by: Arlene McGannon
Originally printed in St. Joseph's Hospital CHAT News
The year was 1943. St. Joseph's Hospital was in its infancy, having opened its doors on 7th Ave. and Morgan St. in Tampa, FL, on October 1, 1934. After only a year-and-a-half at St. Elizabeth Motherhouse in Allegany, NY, a young Franciscan Sister of Allegany was sent to work at the hospital as her first mission. That nun was Sr. Ruth Barthle.
"I was just a high school kid," Sr. Ruth recalls. "I came from a country town - San Antonio, FL. I always wanted to become a Franciscan." But her short time at the convent did not prepare her for what would be required of her at SJH. "It was on-the-job learning," Sr. Ruth said.
Her first assignment at SJH was working with the woman in charge of purchasing for the hospital, mostly stocking shelves. "But after three months, the lady left and I was in charge!" Sr. Ruth exclaimed. She held that position for three years - interviewing salesmen, purchasing food, sheets, even medicines. "The pharmacist would send me a list and I would buy the medicine," she recalled.
In 1947, Mother Loretto Mary Ballou, OSF, took over as hospital administrator succeeding Mother Mary Emmanuel Durkee, OSF. "Sr. Loretto Mary had great vision," Sr. Ruth said. "She built the wing in the first hospital and she bought the cow pasture where the present hospital is. She did wonders."
One of the "wonders" that Sr. Loretto Mary performed was to declare that Sr. Ruth needed to be with patients. She sent her to work with two physicians doing x-rays. Eventually, Sr. Ruth was in charge of x-rays. "We were very busy," she said. "They all wanted to come to St. Joseph's."
Sr. Ruth remembers beds lining the halls with screens around them for privacy. Even when the new wing was added in 1951, they were always full. "I would get called in the middle of the night to take x-rays," Sr. Ruth said. "It was great work. I enjoyed it."
Like all job descriptions, in addition to taking x-rays, Sr. Ruth occasionally had to fulfill those "other duties as required." Like one night, during a bad rain storm, she and another Sister had to go on the roof of the chapel and sweep water off the roof to keep it from leaking. But the assignment she liked best was visiting with patients in the evening. "I liked that work," she admitted.
After 10 years at SJH, Sr. Ruth was reassigned to Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in NJ. From there, she went to Bolivia to help open a Poor Clare Community. Then she came back to the Tampa Bay area, where she worked at Day Star in St. Petersburg, helping take care of the poor. She retired in 1975. But she has fond memories of St. Joseph's. "I thank God for all the beautiful memories. I had many wonderful experiences there. I've had a varied life. It's been a great life. God took care of me."
At the age of 91, Sr. Ruth still lives in Tampa at St. Elizabeth's Convent.
http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs116/1114936827753/archive/1117687984238.html
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The life of Ruth Mary (Sr. Ruth) Barthle
(The third daughter of Joseph & Clara Barthle)
Sr. Ruth Barthle, OSF,
passed away Monday (Jan. 11, 2021) at St. Elizabeth Motherhouse, from natural causes.
She was born April 14, 1923, in Lake Jovita, Fla., daughter of Joseph and Clara Sultenfuss Barthle.
She entered the Franciscan Sisters of Allegany on Jan. 30, 1942, was received into the Congregation on Aug. 15, 1942 and
professed her final vows on Aug. 16, 1949. She joyfully lived the Franciscan charism as an Allegany Sister for 78 years.
She is survived by her sister-in-law, Stella Barthle; and several nieces and nephews.
Sr. Ruth is predeceased by her parents, Joseph and Clara Sultenfuss Barthle; two sisters,
Margaret Kiefer and Mary Shambeau; and two brothers, Albert and Joseph Barthle.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions,
a Memorial Mass will be celebrated at a later date in the Chapel of St. Elizabeth Motherhouse.
Sr. Ruth will be buried in the Garden of Memories Cemetery in San Antonio, Fla., at the request of her family.
Arrangements are under the direction of Letro-McIntosh-Spink Funeral Home, Inc., 646 E. State St., Olean. New York 14760
Published in Olean Times Herald on Jan. 13, 2021.
https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/oleantimesherald/obituary.aspx?pid=197490412
St. Elizabeth Motherhouse
Old time Florida friends, from left to right,
Janet Finley, Ruth Barthle, Frances O’Dell, and Betty Moore
having a Friday afternoon chat!
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