Sister Mary Judeann Lueken SND

Rhea Mary Lueken was born into the loving family of Helen and Ferdinand Lueken on September 16,

1942. She was their fourth and youngest child. Rhea attended St. Martin School in Cheviot, Ohio, where

she came to know the Sisters of Notre Dame. At a young age Rhea felt called to give her life to God, and

so, she became an aspirant after the eighth grade, attending Notre Dame Academy. She entered the

congregation on February 2, 1960, made her first profession of vows in 1962, and then was assigned to

teach primary grades at St. Joseph, Cold Spring, and St. Augustine School, Covington. After her final

vows in 1967, Sister Mary Judeann pursued nursing education at Lexington Technical Institute and the

University of Cincinnati.

Upon receiving her B.S.N., Sister ministered as staff nurse at St. Claire HealthCare for three years and

then at St. Charles Care Center as Director of Nursing. In 1977 Sister Judeann returned to St. Claire

HealthCare as Director of Nursing and served until 1998 as Vice President of Patient Services. During

this time Sister obtained her master’s in nursing administration from the University of Kentucky.

Sister Judeann continued to serve in health care at St. Charles Care Center, Lourdes Hall, as Province

Wellness Coordinator, at Drake Hospital as Certified Wound Care Nurse, and at Twin Towers Nursing

Home. Later, Sister ministered at St. Augustine School as secretary and nurse. Sr. Judeann retired in 2015

and later moved to Lourdes Hall in January 2023.

Sister Judeann’s special way of living out her charism was her passion of simplicity, and to have God as

the center of her life, sharing the love God gave her, so she could lead others to love him more. She will

be forever remembered for her perseverance and for never surrendering to her health struggles but

offering her difficulties to God, saying “One day at a time, Sweet Jesus.” Her strength was inspiring.

Sister Mary Judeann went home to God peacefully on November 5, 2023. She was preceded in death by

her parents and sisters Nancy Lueken and Joanne Throneburg, and by her brother, Thomas J. Lueken. Sister also leaves behind her beloved sister-in-law, Patricia Lueken, and her nephews, Thomas Jr., Brian, and Dr. Robert Lueken.

Visitation will begin at 4:00 PM on Thursday, November 9, 2023, at St. Joseph Heights. The wake service will be held at 5:00 PM, followed by the Mass of Christian Burial at 7:00 PM in the convent chapel. Interment in the convent cemetery will follow the 8:30 AM Mass on Friday, November 10, 2023.

Memorials are requested to The Sisters of Notre Dame, Covington, Kentucky.