Sister Mary Jeanne Frances
August 10, 1934 — March 17, 2018
Sister Mary Jeanne Frances was born on August 10, 1934, in Covington, Kentucky. Her parents, Edgar and Regina Cleves, raised eight children, six boys and two girls. Virginia was the sixth child. She spent a happy and carefree childhood in the security of her large family. Virginia’s close connection to her siblings was an important foundation of her life. Sister, always wanted to become a nurse. She felt she first had to give her life to God and then she could help others. She often thought she had guides in her life, people who seemed to speak for God. Her sister, Sister Virginia Ann Cleves, and the Sisters of Notre Dame inspired her to choose a religious life. At the age of 19 she joined the Sisters of Notre Dame and made her profession of vows on August 22, 1955. Sister attended Saint Frances Central School of Nursing and obtained her degree as a Licensed Practical Nurse in 1961. She then served as a nurse at Lourdes Hall Care Center, St. Charles Care Center, Covington Kentucky and St. Claire HealthCare in Morehead, Kentucky. She was also a Second Lieutenant in the Civil Air Patrol.
In May 1977 Sister Mary Jeanne Frances traveled to Indonesia to fulfill a long-held desire to serve in the missions. She ministered at a hospital in Pekalongan, Indonesia, for five years as a missionary nurse. She then returned to serve the people of Eastern Kentucky at what she called her home: St. Claire HealthCare in Morehead. She was among the first sisters at St. Claire when it opened in 1963 and touched countless lives in her 45 years of service there. It seemed that everyone knew Sister Jeannie. Sister retired in December 2016 to Lourdes Hall Care Center. She continued to enliven those around her by her many stories of past ministries. Sister’s enthusiasm and genuine love of those she served will be greatly missed. After over fifty years of compassionate nursing, Sister Jeanne Frances went home to God, surrounded by her family and sisters. Sister is preceded in death by her parents, her sister, Sister Mary Virginia Ann Cleves, SND, and her brothers Father Simeon, OFM, Deacon Joseph, William, and John Cleves. Sister leaves behind her brothers Edgar, Jr., and Charles Cleves. Sister also leaves many beloved nieces and nephews. Visitation will begin at 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, March 21, 2018, at the Provincial Center, followed by the Wake Service at 5:00 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 7:00 p.m. in the convent chapel. Interment will follow 8:30 a.m. Mass on Thursday, March 22, 2018, in the convent cemetery. In the coming weeks a celebration of Sister Jeannie’s life will be held in Morehead Kentucky (date, place, and time to be announced). Memorial donations are suggested to The St. Claire Foundation 222 Medical Circle, Morehead, KY 40351- phone number (606) 783-6512 and/or The Sisters of Notre Dame 1601 Dixie Hwy. Covington, KY 41011.Guestbook
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