In Memoriam: Sister Jacqueline Shively

Sister Jacqueline Shively of Monastery Immaculate Conception in Ferdinand, Indiana, died at 4:52 p.m. on Sunday, April 19, 2026, at Scenic Hills at the Monastery in Ferdinand.

Sister Jacqueline was born Janet Susan Shively on February 25, 1937, in Whitesville, Kentucky, the eldest of six children of J.C. and Mae Veronica (Thompson) Shively. She entered the Sisters of St. Benedict of Ferdinand in 1954 from Saint Mary of the Woods in Whitesville, and made her monastic vows in 1956.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her brother John David Shively and sister-in-law Alisa Kay (Jackie) Shively; her brother Raymond Edward Shively and sister-in-law Linda Caril (Ray) Shively; and her brother-in-law Martin Sablik. She is survived by her brother James Louis Shively and sister-in-law Ina Jean (Menser) Shively; her brother William Eugene Shively and sister-in-law Brenda Kay (Hardesty) Shively; and sister Beverly Ann (Shively) Sablik; her nieces and nephews, and her religious family.

Sister Jacqueline earned a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from St. Benedict College in Ferdinand, Indiana, and a Master’s degree in Elementary Education with a Minor in Mathematics and Science from Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

She served for decades as a teacher across Indiana: at Saint Bartholomew Elementary School in Columbus; at Saint Francis Xavier Elementary School in Poseyville; at Saint Mary Elementary School in Washington; at Holy Spirit Elementary School and at Holy Redeemer Elementary School, both in Evansville. She also served as Assistant Director in the Diocesan Vocation Office for the Diocese of Evansville, and as Administrative Assistant in the Marian Heights Academy Business Office. At the monastery in Ferdinand, she served as an Administrative Assistant in the Business Office and to the Leadership Team, as part time Assistant to the Vocation Director, as a Liturgy Assistant, Schola Music Assistant, Mail Clerk, and in prayer booklet subscriptions.

Faith was always a core part of Sister Jacqueline’s life. Before she joined the community, she would attend Vespers so often that the Sisters gave her a book of her own. She was so touched by the Sisters’ kindness and genuine love for her that she decided to follow in their footsteps.

Public visitation will be held in Marian Parlor at Monastery Immaculate Conception in Ferdinand, Indiana, on Thursday, April 23 from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. and 6:00 to 6:45 p.m. EDT, and on Friday, April 24 from 2:00 to 4:15 p.m. EDT in the monastery church. A Vigil Service will be held in the monastery church on Thursday, April 23 at 7:00 p.m. EDT. Funeral Liturgy will be held on Friday, April 24 at 4:30 p.m. EDT with burial of the cremains at a later date. The public may view the Vigil Service and Funeral Mass at funeral.thedome.org. Rainey Funeral Home in Dale is in charge of the arrangements.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Sisters of St. Benedict of Ferdinand.