News and Events: Sister Mary Jean

I would like to introduce you to Sister Mary Jean. She was one of the sisters who worked closely with Mother Ellen and joined her in founding the Sisters of St. Joseph the Worker. She was born on October 21, 1901 in Covington, KY. She was one of seven children. She entered religious life in 1925 at the age of 24. Her sister Adalaide  also entered religious life .

Sister Mary Jean worked as a teacher in many schools in Tennessee, Ohio, Maryland and Kentucky. She was usually assigned to teach the upper elementary grades.  Occasionally she was assigned to teach the middle school levels. Like all Catholic teachers, Sister worked hard and often had multiple 'jobs' .  A review of the list of her teaching assignments show that she was sometimes teacher, principal and superior of the convent.

In the 1970's she was working with Mother Ellen in the mission office, raising money to support the missions in India.  Sister Mary Jean became a supported in Mother Ellen's effort to follow the teachings of Vatican II regarding religious life.  She wrote to her friends during that time. " I shall Beseech God to assist you as I beg Him to assist me in my new a precarious venture. The suffering ahead will be a joy because I know that I am doing what I am convinced is right."

Front row (Left to right): Mother Ellen and Sister Mary Jean with the rest of the founding Sisters of St. Joseph the Worker. 

In 1976 she moved to Walton, Ky. and assisted in the opening of Saint Joseph Academy.  She retired to Taylor Manor Nursing Home in 1988.  Her health began to fail and she passed away on December 13, 1988.