In Memoriam: Sister Jolinda Naas

Sister Jolinda Naas of Monastery Immaculate Conception in Ferdinand, Indiana, died at 11:45 a.m. on Wednesday, January 27, 2021, at the monastery.

Sister Jolinda was born Marilyn Naas on May 14, 1937 in Haubstadt, Indiana, the eldest of 5 children of Joseph Paul and Elizabeth (Brenner) Naas. She entered the Sisters of St. Benedict of Ferdinand in 1953 from Sts. Peter and Paul Parish and made her monastic vows in 1955.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Edward Joseph, and is survived by her brothers Robert, his wife, Janet, Gary, his wife, Paula, and Franklin and his wife, Linda.

Sister Jolinda graduated with her BA in Elementary Education from St. Benedict College. She studied at Notre Dame, California State, and Florida Institute of Technology, and earned an MA in Elementary Administration and a MA in Elementary Administration from Ball State University.

Sister Jolinda taught in Evansville at St. Benedict, St. Joseph, St. Theresa, and Christ the King Schools. She also taught at St. Clement School in Boonville, IN, Holy Cross in Fort Branch, IN and St. Mel School in Norco, CA. As a principal, she served at Christ the King in Evansville, Holy Family in Jasper, Flaget Elementary in Vincennes, and St. Romuald School in Hardinsburg, KY.

Sister Jolinda served as Pastoral Associate with St. Agnes Parish in Uniontown, KY and with Resurrection Parish in Evansville, IN. She worked in supportive services with Sisters of St. Benedict in Ferdinand, and most recently served in Prayer Ministry at Hildegard Health Center in Ferdinand.

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, visitation and funeral liturgies will be private for community members and family only on Saturday, January 30, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. with burial in the monastic cemetery following services. Becher Funeral Home in Ferdinand is in charge of the arrangements.

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