Sister Judith Ann
(Rita Vincent)
Born to earthly life: September 20, 1941
Religious profession: July 31, 1961
Entered eternal life: November 23, 2009
Exactly a year after Sister Bernice Krejci died, Sister Judie also claimed her heavenly reward. November 23 and Thanksgiving week, God called both of my sister friends home.
Sister Judie had eight brothers and sisters and many nieces and nephews. Her family was very important to her and they were very faithful in keeping watch with her, especially during her last days.
Diagnosed with endometrial cancer in 2005, Judie fought the battle and made up her mind to beat it. Through numerous surgeries and procedures, she fought for life and was determined to live at least until her 50th anniversary in 2011.
After finishing her studies at Mount Mary College, she began her teaching career. Later she went on to get a Masters Degree in Pastoral Studies from Loyola University in Chicago. Judie taught in schools throughout Wisconsin. Her last place of ministry was at St. James Parish in Eau Claire, doing pastoral work.
Judie loved music and was part of the original Polka Dots, playing her base violin. She always volunteered her musical talents at Province Days and other province celebrations.
She had a special gift for reaching out to the sick and elderly and they loved her in return. She was an advocate for justice and women’s issues, including inclusive language, which was very important to her. She tried to be a model to women working in the church. She endeared herself to many and at her funeral people told me how much joy she brought to the St. James Parish Community.
Over 30 sisters, many family members, and parish friends came to celebrate her Mass of Resurrection. Judie instructed us beforehand that she wanted a certain song played at her wake and funeral. We scampered to find the sheet music so that the choir could sing “Bathe Her in Your Love” by Joe Wise. She had her liturgy all planned out and directions as to who was to do what.
During her last days, Judie had many visitors, people who came to say their good-byes. A special visitor came in the person of Bishop Jerome Listecki. Being in town, he stopped at the hospital, sat on the side of her bed chatting, blessed her, and gave her a little kiss on the cheek. It was a tender gesture and meant a lot to Judie.
Judie, may you rest forever in the arms of Jesus and receive the reward of being a good and faithful SSND. Please pray for us!
– Yvonne Hiess, SSND
She was received as a novice and given the name of Sister Rita Vincent, using the names of her mother and father. In later years, she returned to using her baptismal name. She professed her first vows in 1961. She received a Bachelor of Arts degree at Mount Mary College, Milwaukee, Wisconsin and earned a Master of Arts in pastoral ministry at Loyola University, Chicago, Illinois.
Sister Judie served as teacher and principal; director of religious education, pastoral associate and parish minister in the Milwaukee Archdiocese, as well as the Green Bay, Superior and La Crosse dioceses. For the last 10 years, she served as pastoral minister at St. James the Greater Catholic Church in Eau Claire.
Her ministry locations included:
- St. John, Marshfield, Wis.
- Notre Dame, Chippewa Falls, Wis.
- St. Gabriel, Prairie de Chien, Wis.
- St. Augustine, Milwaukee, Wis.
- St. Stephen, Milwaukee, Wis.
- St. Philip, Rudolph, Wis.
- St. Luke, Brookfield, Wis.
- St. Mary, Port Washington, Wis.
- St. John de Nepomuc, Milwaukee, Wis.
- St. Stephen, Milwaukee, Wis.
- St. John Baptist, Green Bay, Wis.
- St. Joseph, Sturgeon Bay, Wis.
- Cluster Parishes: St. Joseph-Osceola, St. Patrick-Centuria, Lady of Pines-Balsam Lake, Wis.
- St. James the Greater, Eau Claire, Wis.
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