Obituary of Sister Lenz

Lenz, Sister Jean Sister Jean Lenz, OSF (1930 - 2012) died at Our Lady of Angels Retirement Home, Joliet, Illinois on January 21, 2012. A native of Chicago, IL, she was one of four children born to Joseph and Gertrude (Mansell) Lenz. She was preceded in death by her parents. She is survived by her brothers, Raymond (Ethel) and Jack (Patricia) Lenz; her sister, Trudy (Michael) Ford; nieces and nephews. Sister Jean was a treasured member of the Sisters of St. Francis of Mary Immaculate (Joliet) for 60 years. Before entering religious life, Sister Jean was a member of St. Martin Parish in Chicago, IL and attended the parish grade school. She graduated from the Academy of Our Lady before earning a bachelor's degree from the College of St. Francis (University of St. Francis) in Joliet, IL. She did graduate work in journalism at Marquette University and completed a master's degree in theology at the University of Notre Dame. Sister Jean began her ministry in 1955 at St. Francis Academy (Joliet Catholic Academy) teaching English and Journalism. From 1962 until 1971 she served the Congregation in the area of initial formation along with teaching theology at the College of St. Francis. In 1973 when the University of Notre Dame became a co-ed school, Sister Jean became the first female director of Farley Hall along with teaching part-time at the University. In 1984 Sister Jean became the Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs at the University of Notre Dame and in 2002 she became its Vice President for Academic Affairs, retiring from that position in 2009. Since 2009 she served the University in the area of Pastoral Ministry. Sister Jean served on the Board of Trustees at the University of St. Francis in Joliet for the past thirty-two years. The wake for Sister Jean will be at Our Lady of Angels Retirement Home, 1201 Wyoming Avenue, Joliet, IL, (Wyoming and Rt. 30) on Wednesday, January 25, 2012, from 2:00 - 6:45 p.m., with a Prayer Service at 4:30 p.m. and Mass of Christian Burial at 7:00 p.m. The Funeral Procession will leave from Our Lady of Angels on Thursday morning, January 26, 2012, at 9:00 a.m. The Interment will take place at Resurrection Cemetery in Romeoville, IL. Memorials may be made to the Sisters of St. Francis of Mary Immaculate, 1433 Essington Road, Joliet, IL 60435. Arrangements by: FRED C. DAMES FUNERAL HOME 3200 Black at Essington Rds., Joliet For information: (815) 741-5500