Sister Mary Jeanine Schubert

Sister Mary Jeanine Schubert passed away on Thursday, May 14, 2026, at Providence Health Care at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods. She was 84-years-old and had been a Sister of Providence for 64 years.

Commentary

By Sister Diane Mason, SP

Scripture Reading: Luke 9:23

Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.”

Sister Mary Jeanine Schubert, you have picked up your cross of life and followed our Provident God throughout your lifetime. You have been a faithful disciple as a Sister of Providence for almost 65 years.

We are here to celebrate the life of Sister Mary Jeanine Schubert, who was born on January 16, 1942. Mary’s twin brother, Andy, and her sister-in-law Patty are present here today along with her nieces, Dr. Nancy and her husband Sean, and Jenny Witter and her husband Eric. Her grandnieces, Stella and Simone, are also here.

As Sisters of Providence, we extend our heartfelt sympathy to all of you. There is no doubt in our minds how much she loved you all.

Sister Mary Jeanine’s younger brother, Ed, and his wife Sue are deceased. Their children’s names are Karolyn, Mike, Dr. Nancy and Sean.

Sister Mary Jeanine graduated from Providence High School in 1960 and on September 18, 1961, she entered the novitiate of the Sisters of Providence.

She attended the University of Illinois and graduated in 1977 with a major in early childhood education.

After her many years in education, she would take the bus into Chicago and go downtown where she worked as an independent contractor for the American Medical Association, as a survey operations assistant. No matter how cold it was, she really didn’t complain about taking the bus or her work.

Sister Mary Jeanine would have celebrated her 65th year as a Sister of Providence on September 18, 2026.

It was at this moment of time 65 years ago, on September 18, 1961, that I met Mary! That day 66 young women walked through the doors of our novitiate building. It was in these early days that I really became good friends with Mary.

Catching up, from left, Sisters Mary Jeanine Schubert, Susan Dinnin and Peggy Lynch.

Our study hall was on the bottom floor of Owens Hall, now known as St. Mary’s Senior Living. It was a very large room – and our desks were in rows. Mary and I sat in the very back of this study hall. Mary was behind me and to my left was another classmate (or band members as we were called at that time), Sister Laura Ann McLaughlin from the east coast! We all became really good friends. We loved to talk, make others laugh and we were always in motion.

Mary was trying very hard to follow the rules, one of which was being quiet! No talking. She would, many times, poke me in my back to tell me to “shut up” because I was going to get everyone in trouble. We would just laugh and continue on with life. Though trust me, we did “shut up” for a while!
During this early time as postulants, we were handed a little piece of paper. I turned to Mary and said, “What is this?” Her response was “Our class schedule.” I looked at her and said, “Class schedule? Oh My God.”

So off to school we went – homework, cleaning the novitiate or whatever our employments were! We were always busy, cleaning, studying, gong to class and one hour after dinner and supper, we had recreation – which meant we could talk! One of my favorite times!

As we progressed in religious life and received our ministry assignments, Mary taught primary grades for several years.

There was never any doubt how much Mary loved her family. Her twin brother, Andy, and her sister-in-law Patty. And her younger brother Ed, his wife Sue and all of her nieces and nephews.

Mary and I lived together at St. Francis Borgia. We were still very young, in our late 20s. Her mother had been diagnosed with cancer and wasn’t really doing very well. At this time, her mom was in the hospital.

Sister Mary Jeanine Schubert receives a shoulder massage from Sister Mary Jo Piccione during a break in a long stretch of meeting.

I was walking up the stairs to our third floor bedrooms when Mary stopped me and said, “Diane, my dad had a stroke.” I just looked up at her and said, “Mary, I am so sorry.”

Her father died two weeks later. While the family had the wake for their father, I sat in the hospital with their mother. Two weeks later, God called their mother home as well. Pretty young I would say to have both parents gone.

Time went on and her twin brother got married. They had two children, Michael and Jenny. Michael became a fireman, just like his grandfather, dad and uncle, who were all Chicago firemen. It seems it was in the Schubert Family DNA to become firefighters.

Once again, time went on and I got an early morning phone call from Mary which was very unusual. She told me her nephew Michael had died. He was only in his early 40s. Needless to say, another heart-wrenching moment for the family.

We traveled this journey of sadness and joy together. As we all know – there are simply no words to be had for these delicate and sacred moments.

As the years accumulated, Mary was getting tired and her energy was getting lower. One day, I called her and said I am coming to see you. I just sensed that she needed a little more help in her life.

Before Mary came home to the Woods, we would go out at least two or three times a month for lunch. Sharon Richards and I would drive north and her responsibility was to pick out a good restaurant for lunch. If you live on the southside of Chicago, you know there are not a lot of choices.

As time went on, our time together was becoming less and less. She just didn’t have the energy to go out. So, we talked a lot on the phone about everything going on in the world, within the Sisters of Providence or simply about the little things. We would always have some laughs – and she would always say, “Diane, you are crazy.” And my response was, “But I got you to laugh and that was my goal!”

Catching up with each other are, from left, Sisters Susan Dinnin, Mary Jeanine Schubert, Mary Catherine Guiler and Peggy Lynch.

She would always share with me what she was making. I always admired the giftedness and creativity that she had with her hands. Many of the items she made were sold in our gift shop at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods.

The stories from her time in health care made me happy.

Sister Betty Hopf said, “When I arrived after work and walked into Mary Jeanine’s room, what I saw was so touching. There were four staff members surrounding her bed in tears. I realized how much they loved Mary Jeanine and what a difference she made in their lives.”

They accepted her condition of strong determination to see the beautiful person Mary was.

Ava said, “She was so nice to me and funny. I got so attached to her. She always talked about her brother Andy.”

Caprice said, “She just lightened up my day.”

Alexa recounted, “She was funny and also down to earth. An open book. Real! She knew how to cheer people up! I could tell her anything and she never judged me.”

Natalie said, “She was so funny. My favorite person. I spent a lot of time with her and loved it. She was a little firecracker.”

Elizabeth shared, “I’ve had the joy of working with her! She loved her Cheetos and Diet Coke!”

Lexi said, “I would say to her, ‘I love you,’ and she would respond, ‘I love you a bushel and a peck.’ She was so funny.”

The above are only a few comments expressed by many staff who were in and out all afternoon. I am sure that Mary had no idea how she made a DIFFERENCE TO SO MANY FOR THE BETTER.

I know Mary, you can hear what is being said. Your Spirit of love, kindness and wisdom will always be alive within our hearts. I really can’t believe that I am writing this and knowing that our Provident God has called you home.

Walk through those gates – which you have already done. Jump and run, be funny and laugh. Embrace your mom, dad, Ed, Sue, Michael and all those who have gone before you. Oh yes, please give Laura Ann a huge embrace as well!

Enjoying lunch and good company, from left Sisters Mary Morley, Mary Jeanine Schubert, Elizabeth Koressel and Mary Catherine Duffy.ual meeting 2018

Thank you for being a wonderful sister and sister-in-law to Andy and Patty, Ed and Sue, and so loving to all your nieces and nephews.

Thank you for being a faithful friend to us Sisters of Providence. Thank you for being our Sister. We love you and miss you more than you will ever know!

Funeral Information

Funeral services for Sister Mary Jeanine took place on Friday, May 22, and Saturday, May 23, in the Church of the Immaculate Conception at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods.

A Wake took place from 3:30-4:30 p.m., on Friday, May 22. An additional Wake was at 10-11 a.m., on Saturday, May 23, followed by Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m.

Memorial contributions may be made in honor of Sister Mary Jeanine to the Sisters of Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods.

We welcome you to share your memories of Sister Mary Jeanine in the comment section below.