Tacoma, WA—Sister Jude Connelly, OSF, 83, died in Franciscan Hospice House on Holy Thursday, March 28, 2024. She had been a professed member of the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia for 59 years. Sister Jude was born in San Francisco, California. Her family moved to Washington where she was a member of Our Lady of Miraculous Medal Parish, Tacoma, and a graduate of Fife High School, Fife. She entered the congregation in 1962 and professed her first vows in 1965.  She earned a BSN from the University of Oregon and an MA in Hospital Administration from Xavier University. She also earned a Clinical Certification in Pastoral Education from the Interfaith Ministries of Hawaii. She ministered primarily in healthcare and administration.

Sister Jude ministered for 10 years in the Baker Diocese of Oregon.  She worked as a nurse in St. Joseph Hospital, LaGrande; St. Elizabeth Community Hospital, Baker; and St. Anthony Hospital in Pendleton.

In the Archdiocese of Seattle, Sister Jude served for a total of 40 years.  She ministered as a nurse at St. Joseph Hospital, Tacoma, and at St. Clare Hospital in Lakewood.  At St. Francis Hospital in Federal Way, she served in administration and as vice president of professional services.  For 18 years, Sister Jude served as administrator of St. Ann Convent, the congregation’s retirement community in Tacoma.  She also served as coordinator of volunteers and planning at St. Francis House in Puyallup for one year in 2000 but in 2019 she returned and was serving as a volunteer until the time of her death.

All services will be held in at St. Leo Catholic Church, 710 S 13th St, Tacoma, WA 98405.  A vigil will be on Thursday, April 18 at 6 P.M. The Funeral Mass will be held on Friday, April 19, ­­­­12:10 P.M. (PT). Mass will be livestreamed. Internment of ashes will be in Calvary Cemetery in Tacoma. Sister Jude is survived by her niece Kelli Connelly, her cousin Rosemary Nordstrom, and her Franciscan family. Donations in her name can be made to the Sisters of St. Francis Foundation, 609 S. Convent Road, Aston, PA 19014.

For a more personal write-up on Sister Jude, click here.

Direct live stream link to follow.  Will be broadcast on St. Leo’s Youtube page: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lahMIuTsa7c.