Sr. Jeanette Frisch 2018

Sr. Jeanette Frisch 2018

Sister Jeanette Frisch, 1929-2018

Born March 24, 1929 in Ft. Mitchell, Kentucky
Entered St. Walburg Monastery September 8, 1946
Received habit June 28, 1947
First Profession, June 29, 1948
Died June 21, 2018

      Sister Jeanette Frisch died June 21, 2018. She was born on March 24, 1929 to John and Selma Cahill Frisch and named Ursula. She was the third of seven children, having four brothers and two sisters, all of whom are deceased. Her sister, Sr. Anne, was a member of the Benedictine community as well as her aunt, Sr. Elizabeth Frisch.

After graduation from Villa Madonna Academy Ursula entered St. Walburg Monastery in 1946. She became a novice in 1947 and received the name Sister Jeanette. First profession followed in 1948 and perpetual profession in 1951. Sister Jeanette celebrated her silver jubilee in 1973, her golden in 1998, and her diamond in 2008.

Sister Jeanette spent her early years as house mother for boys at St. John’s Orphanage (DCCH Center for Children and Families). She taught at diocesan elementary schools for several years while earning credits from Villa Madonna College. In 1963 she began LPN training at St. Francis School of Practical Nursing. Sr. Jeanette worked at St. Walburg Infirmary, Madonna Manor, St. Joseph Hospital in Colorado. In 1991 she completed work on her B.A. in Gerontology at Mt. St. Joseph College.

Sr. Jeanette worked in a number of “extracurricular” programs: the Retired Senior Volunteer Program at St. E.’s, the Hospice of St. E. Bereavement Committee, Catholic Charities and the Intercommunity Ministry to Aging Religious. At home she baked birthday cakes and hosted monthly birthday/feast day parties for community members. A favorite slogan of hers was Use It or Lose It.

Sr. Jeanette suffered from declining health for several years until her peaceful death at the infirmary on June 21, 2018. She is survived by nieces and nephews, friends and the Benedictine community. Sr. Jeanette donated her body to the UC College of Medicine. Vigil service was held the evening of Sunday, June 24 and a Memorial Mass was celebrated on Monday, June 25.