Deacon Barbara Evelyn Carmine, one of the first women ordained in the Diocese of Southwest Florida and a longtime fixture at DaySpring Conference Center in Parrish, died March 1, 2010. She was 85.

Born Jan. 8, 1925, she served as a nurse in the U.S. Navy from 1947 to 1967, retiring as a lieutenant commander. 

She was ordained as a vocational deacon on June 14, 1986. Her work with the church included the diocesan Liturgy and Music Committee, Deacons' Council and DaySpring, where she served as staff nurse. Her parish work included diaconal assignments with Church of the Annunciation in Holmes Beach, St. Nathaniel's in North Port, St. Mary's in Palmetto, St. Raphael's in Fort Myers Beach and St. John's in Clearwater.  She served as a lay eucharistic visitor at Church of the Good Shepherd in Punta Gorda.

She was a longtime member of the Worker Sisters of the Holy Spirit, where she took the name Sister Barbara Joan. She was also a chaplain of the Order of St. Luke.

She earned an RN degree from Addison Gilbert Hospital in 1943; a CRNA from Baylor University Hospital in 1955 and a BA from Ottawa University in 1978.

Plans are being made for a requiem and interment at DaySpring Conference Center. Details will be announced at a later date.