Sister Virginia Jolly CSJ

Virginia Jolly was born in Winamac, Indiana on March 31, 1921, the fourth of eight children of Peter and Elizabeth (Braun) Jolly. She was a member of St. Peter’s Parish in Winimac at the time of her entrance into the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Tipton, Indiana on June 18, 1939. She received the name Sister Pierre at her reception on December 31, 1939 but later returned to the use of her baptismal name. She pronounced first vows on July 2, 1942 and final vows on July 2, 1945. Sister Virginia received her Bachelor and Master’s degrees in Business Education from Indiana State University in Terre Haute, Indiana. She taught and was principal in several parochial schools in Indiana such as St. Aloysius, Yoder; St Bernard, Crawfordsville; St. Bernard, Wabash; St. Matthew, South Bend and St. Joan of Arc, Kokomo and taught business at Bennett High School, Marion and at St. Joseph Academy, in Tipton. She played the organ for Mass and gave music lessons after school. Sister transitioned from teaching to serving as Treasurer for the Tipton Sisters of St. Joseph from 1974 to 1995. In her retirement she became the Assistant Archivist for the Congregation in Tipton and in her free time enjoyed playing the flute, especially with the Tipton Community Band which performed on a regular basis in Tipton and surrounding areas. Sister Virginia was a dedicated teacher and kept in touch with several of her students over the years. She laughed easily and liked playing cards and sharing jokes and stories with family, friends and her Sister- companions. On November 6, 2012, Sister Virginia was one of the pioneer sisters who moved from Tipton, Indiana St. Joseph Center to Nazareth, Kalamazoo, Michigan. She, with her joyful Tipton spirit was welcomed as a resident of Borgess Gardens Extended Care Facility next to Nazareth Center. Staff commented that they just never got enough of her smile and kind words. She made Borgess Gardens "home" and as she wheel-chaired about the Gardens she spread her love and spirit. Her prayer and the Eucharist nourished that spirit and news about Tipton was always a highlight of her day. Sister Virginia was a special gift and her love will continue to be with us and bless us from her eternal home. May She Rest In Peace!