Sister Johanna Orlett (Sister Jacob), 82, a Franciscan Sister of the Congregation of Our Lady of Lourdes, Rochester, died at Assisi Heights on Saturday, Jan. 5, 2019.
Barbara Johanna Orlett was born May 25, 1936, in Portsmouth, Ohio, to John and Olympia (Sainsbury) Orlett. She entered the Sisters of St. Francis in 1954, from Our Lady of Sorrows Parish, West Portsmouth, Ohio. Sister Johanna made first vows in 1957 and perpetual vows in 1960. She received a bachelor’s degree in math from the College of St. Teresa, Winona, MN, in 1961; a master’s degree in math from the University of Minnesota in 1965; and a PhD in Education from the University of Minnesota in 1975.
Sister Johanna was an elementary and secondary teacher for three years. She served as a math professor at the College of St. Teresa in Winona for 11 years interspersed with completing her master’s and PhD degrees. Following studies, she served as Director of Institutional Research at the College of St. Teresa from 1980 to 1986, after which she served on the faculty at Catawba College in Salisbury, NC, until 2000. Following her years of teaching, Sister Johanna served as Director of Faith Formation in several parishes near Salisbury: Our Lady of the Mountain Mission, Highlands; Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, High Pointe; and St. James Church, Hamlet. Sister Johanna moved to Assisi Heights in 2008.
Sister Johanna is survived by her Franciscan Congregation with whom she shared life for 64 years; a brother, John (Jacob) Orlett of Lucasville, Ohio; and a sister, Margaret Orlett of Stout, Ohio.
The funeral Mass will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 10, in Our Lady of Lourdes Chapel at Assisi Heights. Visitation one hour prior. Burial will be in St. Patrick’s Cemetery, West Portsmouth, Ohio.
Memorials are suggested to the Sisters of St. Francis, Office of Mission Advancement, Assisi Heights, 1001 14th St. NW, Suite 100, Rochester, MN 55901.
