Sister Mary Jacquelyn Sefcovic
(Formerly Sister Mary Joseph Frank)
December 22, 1938 – March 5, 2025
Professed August 16, 1959
Jacquelyn Anne was born in Cleveland, Ohio on December 22, 1938 to Joseph and Virginia (Katuscak) Sefcovic. Two years later, Mr. Sefcovic joined the Navy, serving in World War II. Stateside duty allowed for occasional visits to see him in Chicago, Virginia, Washington DC, and Florida. Jacquelyn had just begun first grade at St. Patrick when the war ended and her father returned home. A move to Lakewood brought her to St. Rose School and marked the beginning of her religious vocation. Her teacher, a Sister of St. Joesph, made such an impression on her that Jacquelyn told everyone that she wanted to be a Sister one day. Her brother Paul was born that same year, and she relished the role of big sister. A move to Parma in 1950 took her to St. Charles School, staffed by the Ursulines. As a freshman at St. Michael School on Scranton Road, Jacquelyn added the Sisters of Notre Dame to her list of religious communities. When she was 15, two momentous events occurred. The first was the arrival of her brother Philip, which completed the family circle. Secondly, Jacquelyn asked her study hall supervisor if there was a school for girls who wanted to become sisters. After learning about the Aspirant program at Notre Dame on Ansel Road, Jacquelyn discussed it with her parents. They preferred that she finish high school before entering the community. Jacquelyn prayed even more, and in January 1955, with the consent of her parents, she became an Aspirant. “I missed being at home with my family very much,” she wrote in her autobiography, “but where God’s will is, there seems to be grace.” She became a postulant on February 2, 1957, and upon investment received the name Sister Mary Joseph Frank.
Over the next 62 years, Sister Jacquelyn brought flexibility and generosity to her varied ministries. For 15 years she was a seamstress, first at Ansel Road, Cleveland, and then in Chardon. She spent 14 years at Notre Dame Academy in Middleburg, Virginia, which was a boarding school and a day school. As Director of Household Services, she worked with her staff to keep the main house—a vintage mansion— and the additional buildings in good order, all ready for ordinary days and for special occasions. Patient and methodical, she taught the girls how to set a table, how to care for a home, and how to use items, especially from nature, to decorate and celebrate each season.
Returning to Chardon in 1987, she ministered in Food Service and worked as a secretarial aide in the Health Care Center. For 8 years she was the receptionist, greeting visitors and managing the switchboard. She also served as the secretary to the Health Care Director during this time. With a little review and practice, she transferred her basic typing skills to computer mastery of charts, schedules, reports and medical records. From 2010-2013 she ministered at St. Helen School as assistant to the Cafeteria Manager, making salads and setting up for lunchroom service. She worked in the school library, too; she loved interacting with the children. One little boy was designated as her official helper, meeting her at the car to walk with her and carry her bag of supplies.
Returning to Food Services as an assistant in 2013, Sister Jacquelyn was a valued and much-loved member of the team of lay persons and sisters. The staff prepared several hundred meals a day. There was always something she could help with: peeling vegetables, rolling silverware, sorting fruit. Sister Jacquelyn made the morning coffee at 5 a.m. for all the dining rooms, earning her an apron and the title “Barista Extraordinaire” from the Health Care Center Staff. She faced serious health issues but never ran out of ways to serve the community. She loved her family dearly, was thankful for every service given her, and prayed for the needs of all. She had a special devotion to St. Joseph and St. Francis. On March 5, as Lent began on earth, God called her heavenward, to celebrate the eternal feast with the Risen Lord.
The Mass of Christian Burial will be on Thursday, March 13, at 11:00 a.m. at the Sisters of Notre Dame Center. Visitation will be from 9:30 until Mass begins. It will be live-streamed here.
To make a donation in memory of Sister Mary Jacquelyn, please click here.
