Alice Catherine Barrett

Mrs. Frank A. Barrett Dies Friday and Hundreds Pay Tribute In Lusk Wed.

Men and women of high office from far and wide, associates in politics and government, and many from Lusk and the surrounding area who have known Senator and Mrs. Frank A. Barrett as fellow citizens and friends, paid final tribute to Mrs. Barrett Wednesday morning and honor to a family which has served faithfully and well.

Mrs. Frank A. Barrett, 59, much beloved wife of United States Senator Barrett of Lusk, died peacefully at the National Institute of Health at Bethesda, Maryland early last Friday morning. With her at the time were the couple's three children, James E. Barrett of Lusk, Dr. Francis Barrett of Cheyenne, and Miss Marialyce of Casper, and one of Mrs. Barrett's two sisters, Miss Ellen Donoghue of Omaha.

Solemn requiem high mass was held from St. Leo's Catholic Church of Lusk at 10:00 a.m. this Wednesday. The Most Rev. Hubert M. Newell, bishop of the Cheyenne (Wyoming) diocese of the Catholic Church officiated at the absolution and delivered the sermon. Celebrant at the mass was the Rev. William Delaney, of Cheyenne's DePaul Hospital; the Deacon was Monsignor Devitt, Laramie, Sub-Deacon Father Terence McGovern, Newcastle and formerly of Lusk; and Master of Ceremonies, Father M. J. McBrien, Lusk. Grandchildren James and Larry, sons of the Francis Barretts, served as Altar Boys.

In his sermon Wednesday the Most Rev. Newell referred to Mrs. Barrett as "a faithful and devoted daughter of the Church" and demonstrated the far reaching effect that Mrs. Barrett's death had when he pointed out that hundreds and hundreds of people both in Wyoming and throughout the country remember well her gracious and gentle manner.

Interment was made in the Lusk Cemetery, beside an infant daughter who was born and passed away in 1925.

Six Fourth Degree Knights of the Knights of Columbus of Casper were the honor guard at the services and interment.

A male choir from St. Mary's Cathedral parish in Cheyenne, appeared under the direction of Thomas Plemel of Cheyenne, Mr. Plemel's father, Frank Plemel of Rock Springs, was the organist.

Rosary services with Father McBrien officiating were held in the Barrett home on Barrett Blvd., both Monday and Tuesday evenings.

Active pallbearers at the mass Wednesday were: C.E. Marvin, Andrew McMaster, Glen I. Cates, George Gibson and Roy Chamberlain, all of Lusk and Judge Ewing T. Kerr, Cheyenne, Judge Preston T. McAvey, Newcastle and former U.S. Senator Edward D. Crippa of Rock Springs.

Honorary pallbearers were: Governor Milward L. Simpson and Secretary of State Everett T. Copenhaver , Cheyenne, James B. Griffith, Sr., Alfred Baca, Edward M. Arnold, H. J. Templeton and Frank A. Scott, all of Lusk; Lewis E. Bates, Harry P. Henderson, C. J. "Doc" Rogers and T. Joe Cahill, all of Cheyenne, Paxton Irvine, Buffalo; Peter Tobin, Casper; Charles E. Munson, Washington, D.C; J. Byron Wilson, McKinley; Harry T. Thorson, Osage, Frank A. Gorman, Lance Creek; Ten Hammett, Denver and Ike Steward, New York City.

During the services Wednesday morning Lusk business houses closed out of respect to Mrs. Barrett and in order that their employees might attend the services. A public address system from the Church was installed in the basement of the church and another speaker was placed outside in order to accommodate the large crowd that attended the service.

The high esteem that was held for Mrs. Barrett and the Barrett family was clearly demonstrated by the flood of telegrams, cards, and flowers that poured into Lusk. A telegram of condolence was received from President Eisenhower, who is vacationing in Georgia. An estimated 350 people attended the service and numerous people stayed away because they realized that the room was limited. Approximately 85 automobiles were in the caravan from the Church to the Cemetery.

FIRST ILL LAST SUMMER

Mrs. Barrett first became ill of cancer last summer and underwent surgery at DePaul Hospital in Cheyenne. Later she underwent treatment in San Francisco and spent part of the summer with her son and daughter-in-law in Lusk. January 3 she returned to Washington with her husband.

Alice Catherine was born at Omaha February 4, 1897. She was the daughter of Dennis and Kate Donoghue. She attended St. Agnes school and Boyle's business college at Omaha. She and Senator Barrett were married May 21, 1919. The officiating priest at the wedding was the late Msg. E. J. Flanagan, the founder of Boys Town.

Just prior to his marriage Senator Barrett had received his discharge from the Army. When the young couple arrived here, Lusk was in the midst of an oil boom and as office space was impossible to obtain he established his law practice on the porch of a residence.

Senator Barrett was first elected to the House of Representatives in 1942 and was re-elected in 1944, 1946 and 1948. In 1950 he was elected governor and in 1952 was elected to the United States Senate.

Wherever Mrs. Barrett went with her husband she was active in community affairs. In Lusk she was a member of St. Leo's Catholic Church, a member of Altar and Rosary Society, loyal worker and former president of Wieten-Dupes Post No. 4 of the American Legion Auxiliary, member of Chapter I, P.E.O. Sisterhood, Lusk Woman's Club, Niobrara County Cow Belles, and the Republican Women's Club. She was president of the 83rd Congressional Club and served as secretary-treasurer of the 78th Congressional Club, an organization made up of the wives of members of Congress.

Survivors other than those already mentioned include: a sister, Mrs. Catherine Reilley and two brother, John J. and Dennis Donoghue, all of Omaha; and ten grandchildren, Ann, Richard and John, children of the James E. Barretts, and James, Larry, Michael, Francis, Patrick, Joseph and Alice Catherine, children of the Dr. Francis Barretts of Cheyenne.

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