Sister M. Barbara Neigh, O.S.F., of Millvale died Monday from a massive stroke shortly after she was admitted to the emergency room at Allegheny General Hospital.

Born Mary Catherine Neigh, Feb. 17, 1929, in Butler, she was the daughter of Charles E. and Clara Lehnerd Neigh.

She entered into the congregation Sept. 7, 1941, from the St. Wendelin Roman Catholic Church.

Sister Barbara served in the Diocese of Pittsburgh as a teacher, principal and diocesan educational consultant for more than 45 years. She then transitioned to a different form of education serving as house coordinator at Boy's Hope in Arizona.

From 1992 to 2002, Sister Barbara's ministry was at the St. Francis Hospital in Georgia and St. Francis Medical Center in Lawrenceville as continuous quality improvement facilitator and consultant.

Sister Barbara will be remembered for her hospitality and gentle, loving presence. Her dedicated service of 67 years as a Franciscan Sister was appreciated by all who knew her.

She is survived by nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by brothers, Joseph, Leonard, Charles and Alfred; and a sister, Claire Hilderbrand.

<B>NEIGH</B> Friends of Sister M. Barbara Neigh, O.S.F., who died Monday, April 13, 2009, will be received from 2 to 8 p.m. today and from noon to 4:45 p.m. Thursday at Mount Alvernia, 146 Hawthorne Road, Millvale. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 5 p.m. Thursday. Burial will be in the Sisters' Cemetery at Mount Alvernia. A wake service will be held at 6:15 p.m. today. Vespers will be held at 4:45 p.m. Thursday.In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Sisters of St. Francis Ministry, Formation or Retirement Fund, 146 Hawthorne Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15209.