Sr. Josita O’Donnell

Sister Josita O’Donnell, CSJ, age 81, died at 6:46 a.m. Thursday, May 26, 2011, in Camilla Hall at St. Joseph Center in Tipton, Indiana, following a lengthy illness complicated by physical difficulties as well as significant memory loss.

Barbara Jean O’Donnell was born March 12, 1930, in Gary, Indiana to Mabel (Klingensmith) O’Donnell and William O’Donnell. She attended St. Joseph Academy in Tipton and entered the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph in Tipton on September 1, 1946. Receiving the religious habit in 1947, she was given the name of Sister Mary Josita in honor of the community’s patron, St. Joseph. Sister Josita made her final profession of vows on July 2, 1952.

Having earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education from St. Francis College in Fort Wayne, Indiana, and a Master of Arts Degree in Elementary Education from Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana, Sister Josita influenced the lives of her students for some forty four years, from 1949 until 1993. She was an excellent teacher and loved her students, as they loved her. Always fun loving and creative, she ministered as teacher and/or principal in Catholic schools throughout Indiana including St. Peter, Winamac; St. Matthew, South Bend; St. Patrick, Kokomo; St. Bernard, Crawfordsville; St. Joan of Arc, Kokomo; St. Paul, Marion and St. Ambrose in Seymour.

Called by her Sisters to the role of congregational leadership, she served for a period of time as a member of the Administrative Council of the Sisters of St. Joseph. Sister Josita later ministered with the Sisters of St. Francis at the Spiritual Center in Little Falls, Minnesota, assisting with programs and hospitality. In 2002 she retired from this position and returned to St. Joseph Center in Tipton, where she attended to the needs of Sisters, lay residents and guests.

Sister Josita had a great love of animals, from rabbits to hamsters and then to a series of dogs, including Josie, an Irish Shepherd, and Emmie, a Jack Russell Terrier, who was her constant companion for several years. Her love of animals extended to the birds who nested on the grounds of St. Joseph Center and whom she faithfully fed, along with the squirrels who competed with them at the feeders. Sister Josita loved all of nature, and enjoyed long walks and being immersed in God’s creation. When in good health, she delighted many with her tales of classroom experiences and the antics of her various pets.

Sister Josita was predeceased by her parents, a brother- Joseph O’Donnell, two sisters – Martha Moos and Mary Louise Marsden and a niece, Laurel Alliss. In addition to the Sisters and Associates of the Congregation of St. Joseph, she is survived by six nieces and nephews, and several great nieces and nephews.

Visitation is scheduled at St. Joseph Center Chapel in Tipton, Indiana for Monday, May 30, beginning at 4:00 p.m. with a Prayer Vigil at 6:00 p.m. Visitation will continue on Tuesday morning, May 31, preceding the Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 a.m., at which Father Patrick Keith Hosey will preside. Sister Josita will be buried in the Cemetery at St. Joseph Center following the Mass of Christian Burial. May she rest in Christ’s eternal peace.

Young-Nichols Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.