Sister Judene Walsh, O.P.

Sister Judene Walsh, O.P., 91, passed away at Siena Center, Racine, WI on Friday March 11, 2022.

Edna Clara Walsh was born January 4, 1931 to Frank J. and Sophia M. (nee: Schmitt) Walsh in Sheboygan Falls, WI. On September 8, 1947 she joined the Racine Dominicans and at her reception in 1948 she was given the religious name Sister Judene. She professed her first vows in 1950 and her final vows in 1956.

Sister Judene spent many years in service to others as a teacher, music teacher, and a principal. She began her ministry in 1950 at the Dominican College School of Music, Racine. Other places in Wisconsin where she served were St. Bernard, Madison; St. John; South Milwaukee; St. Andrew, Verona; Holy Trinity; Racine; Urban Day School, Milwaukee; St. Mary Pewaukee; St. Mary, Kansasville (Dover); and St. Mary Burlington. From 1983-1989 she worked as a pastoral minister at St. Mary’s, Kansasville (Dover) followed by work at Siena Center, Racine as the Siena Center House Coordinator, an administrative secretary, and Mission Fund secretary. She also tutored at Mary Bethune Reading Academy and the Adult Learning Center, Milwaukee. In March 2022 she moved to Siena Center.

Sister Judene is survived by the Racine Dominican Sisters and Associates; her brother Carl (Verna) Walsh; sisters Geri (Larry) Smith and Dorothy Bergin; nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents; her sister Sister Pauline Walsh, O.P. and her brothers Bernard and Harold Walsh.

Due to Covid-19 restrictions a private Remembering Service at 9:00 a.m. followed by a private Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 a.m. will be held in the Siena Center Chapel on Friday March 18, 2022. Interment will take place at Holy Cross Cemetery Hwy 32. Memorials to the Racine Dominican Mission Fund have been suggested.

The Racine Dominicans would like to extend their thanks to Sisters Jean Verber and Rosalie Lauer, the Supportive Living staff and the Hospice Alliance staff who cared for Sister Judene.