Sr. Barbara Ann Davis, S.C.

Sister of Charity of Cincinnati Barbara Davis died on April 22, 2026, at the age of 83 at her home in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Sister Barbara was born on Sept. 10, 1942, to William M. and Marie (Tisch) Davis in Cincinnati, Ohio. She was a twin, with her sister Carolyn. She was a Sister of Charity of Cincinnati for 65 years.

Sister Barbara grew up in Cincinnati, attending St. Cecilia and Holy Angels grade schools and graduating from Seton High School in 1960. She felt called to religious life as a sophomore at Seton, inspired by the life of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton and the joy of the Sisters who taught her. She entered the congregation following graduation on Sept. 8, 1960.

 Sister Barbara earned a Bachelor of Science degree in education from the College of Mount St. Joseph in 1965 and a master’s degree in mathematics from the University of Detroit in Michigan in 1975.

She devoted 50 years to education-based ministries, serving as a junior high teacher, Catholic elementary school principal, school consultant and coordinator of alumni relations for Catholic college graduates. She began her ministry years at St. Mary’s in Greenville, Ohio, teaching junior high students, followed by two years at Holy Redeemer School in Kensington, Maryland (1968-1970).

Sister Barbara then began 37 years in the Diocese of Toledo. She first taught junior high students at St. Michael School in Findlay, Ohio (1970-1976), followed by 10 years as the school’s principal. She modeled a collaborative approach to leadership, implementing the lessons of Vatican Council II and working closely with the priests and parish pastoral team to foster a vibrant, faith-based parish.

In 1986, Sister Barbara was invited to serve as consultant for teachers and administrators in the Diocese of Toledo. She later returned to school leadership as principal at St. Mary School in Shelby, Ohio (1990-2003).

 During the summer of 1993, she spent two weeks in Ukraine at the request of the U.S. Catholic bishops, collaborating with local educators to help develop curriculum guidelines. In May 1997, she was diagnosed with stage IV small cell lymphoma. She underwent chemotherapy followed by a successful stem cell transplant in July 1998 using her own cells. The support of the St. Mary parish community, along with her Sisters of Charity small group, brought her through many difficult months.

That same year Sister Barbara was honored as a Distinguished Principal by the National Catholic Educational Association Department of Elementary Schools and received the Governor’s Award for Excellence. Along with her staff, they opened a Garden of Peace on the school grounds, secured major grants to bring technology into the classrooms, piloted the accreditation process for Ohio Catholic schools and established partnerships with the business community.

In 2004, Sister Barbara transitioned her role as principal at St. Mary to serve as diocesan consultant for the Catholic Youth and School Services of Toledo. That fall, she became principal of Sylvania Franciscan Academy in Sylvania, Ohio, where she ministered as a principal from 2004-2007.

In 2007, she was invited to join the Advancement Office at Mercy College of Northwest Ohio in Toledo. Her strong organizational skills and collaborative spirit made her well suited for the role. She oversaw alumni activities while coordinating alumni relations and annual giving. In 2012, the college honored her with the Mind, Heart, Hand Award, recognizing individuals whose presence positively influences others.

In 2009, Sister Barbara joined the Board of Trustees for Mount St. Joseph University. Earlier in 1999, she received the Alumni Career Achievement Award from her alma mater, recognizing her as a distinguished and dedicated Catholic school educator in Ohio. In 2011, Sister Barbara served as chair of the Governance Committee for the Sisters of Charity congregation, helping develop a strong framework for Chapter preparation and participation.

In 2022, Sister Barbara was honored with the Founders Leadership Award from DePaul Cristo Rey High School at the school’s annual Founders Day Mass. The award recognizes individuals who embody the inspiring qualities of St. Vincent de Paul and the Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati, the school’s founders. Sister Barbara served two terms on the DePaul Cristo Rey Board and generously gave countless hours of volunteer service to the school community.

As she reflected on the future of the SC congregation and the Church, Sister Barbara expressed a deep hope that all would continue to be rooted in the life of Jesus. She shared, “I pray that we, individually and collectively, will ponder deeply and respond in faith and in courage, rooted in the charism given us by Elizabeth, Vincent and Louise.”

Sister Barbara is survived by her twin sister, Carolyn Davis, and her best friend, Sister Karen Elliott, C.PP.S.

Sisters, family and friends will greet visitors in the back of the Motherhouse Chapel from 9-10 a.m. on Thursday, April 30, 2026, followed by the Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. in the Motherhouse Chapel. Sister’s burial will follow in the Sisters of Charity cemetery.

Memorials may be made in Sister Barbara Davis’ name to DePaul Cristo Rey High School (3440 Central Parkway, Cincinnati, OH 45255) or to the Marie Davis Scholarship Fund, c/o Seton High School (3901 Glenway Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45205).