Sister Frances Jacobs, 1919-1996
Born July 11, 1919, Sparta, Kentucky
Entered St. Walburg Monastery, August 15, 1938
First Profession June 29, 1940
Died August 27, 1996
Sr. Frances was born in Sparta, Kentucky to Frank P. and Angela Weldon Jacobs and given the name Rosella Margaret. She was the fourth of seven children, four boys and three girls. The Jacobs family had deep roots in the Sparta area. Following the footsteps of her older sister, Rosella attended Villa Madonna Academy as a boarder and it was there that she became closely associated with the Benedictine Sisters. When Rosella entered St. Walburg Monastery, she made the news in the local paper as indicated by the headline, “Rose of Sparta Joins Nunnery. Rosella became Sr. Mary Frances on March 21, 1939 and made profession in 1940.
In 1942 she went to Holy Cross in Latonia where she taught math, physics and mechanical drawing until 1961. From 1961-1964 she taught at St. Henry High School, Villa Madonna Academy and College. From 1964 until 1983 she was part of the Covington Latin School faculty, teaching math and serving as department head as well as sacristan. After 1983 she assisted in areas of bookkeeping at Madonna Man as wells as at Villa Madonna Academy where she resided form 1962 to 1996.
Sr. Frances was perfectionist in whatever work she did. Her math problems, mechanical drawing blueprints and ordinary lesson plans were a delight to the eye. She made every effort to instill this same precision in her students.
Although she was not an outgoing person, she enjoyed a good time. She was quiet, loyal and faithful in her friendships whether this was to members of the community, the many priests she came to know or the students she taught over so many years.
Troubled with diabetes and other health problems, Sr. Frances moved to the infirmary in 1996. It was difficult for her to accept the limitations of ill health. She did enjoy the visitors who came by. Death from a heart attack came suddenly on August 27, 1996