Sister Mary St. Jude

Sister Mary St. Jude           ND  3773                   ⇒ PDF Download
June Rose WEISENSELL

Christ the King Province, Chardon, Ohio, USA

Date and Place of Birth:           August 7, 1923      Cleveland, Ohio
Date and Place of Profession: August 17, 1943    Cleveland, Ohio
Date and Place of Death:         July 13, 2014         Health Care Center, Chardon
Date and Place of Funeral:     July 17, 2014         Chardon, Ohio
Date and Place of Burial:        July 17, 2014         Resurrection Cemetery, Chardon, Ohio

June Rose was the youngest of the six children born to Joseph and Rose (nee Schraff) Weisensell and the last surviving sibling. June’s parents had loving, joy-filled hearts and deep faith. She was named “June” because of her mother’s great devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, celebrated during the month of June.Love and concern for one another blossomed and were hallmarks of her childhood years.

After completing elementary grades at St. Ignatius School, Cleveland, June became an aspirant and attended Notre Dame Academy, Cleveland. She entered the Sisters of Notre Dame on February 2, 1941. At investment June received the name Sister Mary St. Jude.

Sister received a bachelor’s degree from Notre Dame College, South Euclid, and a master’s degree in education from St. John College, Cleveland. She devoted forty-four years to the ministry of education as teacher and/or principal at elementary schools in Ohio,Virginia and Campus School in Washington, DC. Sister Mary St. Jude was known for her dry wit and ability to see the humorous side of life’s challenges. Though firm, Sister’s quick, creative thinking and action delighted her students and school staff.

In 1988, Sister joined the sisters editing the Christ Our Life religion text book series and then, at the urging of a dear friend, began a ministry close to her heart—visiting the sick, elderly and homebound. Her generosity, sense of humor, laughter and kindness made her approachable and comfortable to be with. Sister Mary St. Jude’s love of others, especially her sisters, and her love of nature were avenues in her quest for finding and reflecting the love of God. She “appreciated true friendship, which has its center in Jesus Christ and unites us to him….” (Constitutions, Article 55). Sister included and welcomed all in her circle of friends.

Sister Mary St. Jude moved to the Provincial Center in 2001. Here she took up the ministry of correspondence and prayer. Her notes and cards were not only pieces of art but humorous poetry. Sister was an avid bridge player, daily!  She never let her disabilities affect her delightful personality—always a kind inquiry of your needs and most grateful for any help she received. Sister Mary St. Jude was a “splendid,” prayerful woman whose gentle, unadorned spirit and manner of living revealed her love for our good and gracious God. May she rest now, peacefully, in God’s loving embrace.