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Francine Leritz Obituary
Leritz, Francine
October 7, 1933 - March 17, 2026
Fortified with the sacraments of Holy Mother Church on March 17, 2026.
Francine was born on October 7, 1933 in Kansas City, MO to the late James B. and Alberta May Carney Nash. She was predeceased by her beloved husband of almost 70 years, Joseph L. Leritz, who died on February 19, 2026. She is survived by her children Joseph N. (Mary Beth), James (Nora), Celeste (Lane), Christopher (Kristin), and Peter N. (Pamela), as well as grandchildren Madeleine (Chris), Caroline (Justin), Joseph R. (fiancé Sarah), James (Makato), Emily (Eric), Lucy (Michael), Margaret (Gabriel), Christopher, Michael (Margaux), Mary Claire, Matthew, Theodore , Peter J. , Mary, Jane, and Genevieve. She was the loving great-grandmother of Aina, Meredith, Theo, William, Justin, and #6 due any day now.
Francine was predeceased by her brother James B. Nash, Jr. (Survived by Susan Burke Nash). She leaves behind in-laws Jeanne Byrne Callahan (the late Barney and Eugene), Thomas Leritz (Mary), Daniel Leritz (Retta), and many nieces and nephews who loved their "Aunt Sistie".
Francine was the granddaughter of immigrants from Ireland and was proud of her Irish heritage. She was a graduate of City House Academy, Class of 1951, where she made lifelong friendships. She met with the "Mesdames" for lunch every month up until shortly before her death. She graduated with honors from Maryville College, Class of 1955. She was the recipient of the Tres Bien award from Villa Duchesne-City House Alumnae Association for service and commitment to Sacred Heart values.
She was a talented athlete and played varsity basketball and field hockey in high school and college, and excelled at tennis and golf. She was able to climb in and out of a kayak into her nineties. She was a camp counselor, canoeist and sailor, baker of pies and taker of walks, artist, salvager and seller of antiques, and party giver.
She loved to travel with Joe and they went all over the world together. But her favorite places to be were their homes on Creekhaven Drive and Papoose Lake in Manitowish Waters, Wisconsin.
Mom never took her good fortune for granted, and she knew how lucky she was in all aspects of her life. She considered herself most blessed to have met and married Joe. They would have been married 70 years on April 14, 2026 and the two of them had a wonderful life together. She had a deep faith and she always looked out for the underdog. This was reflected in her and Joe's active involvement in the St. Vincent DePaul Society and Birthright, where they received the Monsignor Hartnett Award in 2000. She made sure she left this earth on March 17 in time to join Joe and the other Finn McCools in heaven to celebrate the day.
The family would like to acknowledge the incredible and loving care provided by Gentiva Hospice, especially Amanda, and the Carmelite sisters and staff at St. Agnes home. We pray that Sister Mary Faustina gets some sleep!
Funeral mass Saturday March 21, 2026 at St. Clement of Rome Church, at noon. Visitation will be at St. Clement from 11:15 AM until mass.
Bopp Chapel
October 7, 1933 - March 17, 2026
Fortified with the sacraments of Holy Mother Church on March 17, 2026.
Francine was born on October 7, 1933 in Kansas City, MO to the late James B. and Alberta May Carney Nash. She was predeceased by her beloved husband of almost 70 years, Joseph L. Leritz, who died on February 19, 2026. She is survived by her children Joseph N. (Mary Beth), James (Nora), Celeste (Lane), Christopher (Kristin), and Peter N. (Pamela), as well as grandchildren Madeleine (Chris), Caroline (Justin), Joseph R. (fiancé Sarah), James (Makato), Emily (Eric), Lucy (Michael), Margaret (Gabriel), Christopher, Michael (Margaux), Mary Claire, Matthew, Theodore , Peter J. , Mary, Jane, and Genevieve. She was the loving great-grandmother of Aina, Meredith, Theo, William, Justin, and #6 due any day now.
Francine was predeceased by her brother James B. Nash, Jr. (Survived by Susan Burke Nash). She leaves behind in-laws Jeanne Byrne Callahan (the late Barney and Eugene), Thomas Leritz (Mary), Daniel Leritz (Retta), and many nieces and nephews who loved their "Aunt Sistie".
Francine was the granddaughter of immigrants from Ireland and was proud of her Irish heritage. She was a graduate of City House Academy, Class of 1951, where she made lifelong friendships. She met with the "Mesdames" for lunch every month up until shortly before her death. She graduated with honors from Maryville College, Class of 1955. She was the recipient of the Tres Bien award from Villa Duchesne-City House Alumnae Association for service and commitment to Sacred Heart values.
She was a talented athlete and played varsity basketball and field hockey in high school and college, and excelled at tennis and golf. She was able to climb in and out of a kayak into her nineties. She was a camp counselor, canoeist and sailor, baker of pies and taker of walks, artist, salvager and seller of antiques, and party giver.
She loved to travel with Joe and they went all over the world together. But her favorite places to be were their homes on Creekhaven Drive and Papoose Lake in Manitowish Waters, Wisconsin.
Mom never took her good fortune for granted, and she knew how lucky she was in all aspects of her life. She considered herself most blessed to have met and married Joe. They would have been married 70 years on April 14, 2026 and the two of them had a wonderful life together. She had a deep faith and she always looked out for the underdog. This was reflected in her and Joe's active involvement in the St. Vincent DePaul Society and Birthright, where they received the Monsignor Hartnett Award in 2000. She made sure she left this earth on March 17 in time to join Joe and the other Finn McCools in heaven to celebrate the day.
The family would like to acknowledge the incredible and loving care provided by Gentiva Hospice, especially Amanda, and the Carmelite sisters and staff at St. Agnes home. We pray that Sister Mary Faustina gets some sleep!
Funeral mass Saturday March 21, 2026 at St. Clement of Rome Church, at noon. Visitation will be at St. Clement from 11:15 AM until mass.
Bopp Chapel
Published by St. Louis Post-Dispatch on Mar. 19, 2026.
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