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In Memoriam: Sr. Judi Keehnen, CSJ

In Memoriam: Sr. Judi Keehnen, CSJ

It is with deep sorrow and gratitude that we mourn the passing of Sr. Judi, a beloved member of the McNicholas community for more than five decades. Sr. Judi’s life was a testament to service, faith, and dedication to the mission of the Sisters of St. Joseph.  Her legacy will remain forever imprinted on all who were fortunate enough to know her. 

Sr. Judi’s call to religious life was nurtured during her time as a student at McNicholas High School, where the Sisters of St. Joseph first inspired her vocation. After graduating, she joined the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph and returned to McNicholas in 1967, where she would dedicate herself to teaching and coaching for over five decades. Throughout her years at McNicholas, Sr. Judi made a lasting impact, teaching a wide range of subjects, including sewing, mechanical drawing, and woodworking, and coaching both volleyball and softball teams. Her commitment to her students was steadfast, and she shared her many talents in numerous ways—directing the Mardi Gras Pageant and Ball for 15 years and serving as a costumer for the Theatre Department during musical seasons. Sr. Judi’s passion for education and service touched the lives of countless students, shaping the McNicholas community with her unwavering dedication. 

For twelve years following her career, Sr. Judi served as the McNicholas archivist and historian, ensuring that the stories, traditions, and rich history of McNicholas would never be forgotten. In the early 2000s, she also led the restoration of the Heritage House, a mid-1800s building on the McNicholas grounds listed on the National Register of Historic Places. She was a strong advocate for preserving both the building and its history. As an emeritus member of the McNicholas Board, Sr. Judi continued to serve with dedication on the Facilities Committee, always working behind the scenes to ensure the school’s continued success. 

Teacher, Angie Noble shared, “Sister Judi's impact on McNicholas is immeasurable; her love of McNicholas and the Sisters of St. Joseph is genuine. All who have come to know her are enriched by her presence and her stories. She is a living record of our school’s history and tradition and a reminder of how the Sisters of St. Joseph spread their mission of love and service.” 

Sr. Judi’s dedication extended far beyond the walls of McNicholas. She taught at St. Mary of the Woods and Guardian Angels parishes, served as an advisor at Fontbonne in Cincinnati, and worked at both the Smithsonian and the National Aviation Hall of Fame in Dayton. She also shared her knowledge at Northern Michigan University and the University of Dayton. Her life embodied the very essence of the McNicholas mission. She exemplified the values of love, service, and growth toward “Full Stature in Christ,” as expressed in St. Paul’s letter to the Ephesians. Her passion for serving her community, her tireless advocacy for the students of McNicholas, and her steadfast faith will be dearly missed by all. 

As we remember Sr. Judi, we celebrate her life of service and the profound impact she had on McNicholas, its students, faculty, alumni, and families. Her sweetness, strength, and unwavering example of faith will be missed, but her legacy will continue to inspire all who knew her. 

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