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Sister Mary Anne Jungblut, SNJM
(Sister Geraldine Mary)
March 7, 1939 – March 27, 2024
Sister Mary Anne Jungblut, SNJM departed this life on March 27, 2024 at Mary’s Woods at Marylhurst in Lake Oswego, Oregon.
Sister Mary Anne celebrated 85 years of life and 64 years of her religious profession.
A Mass of Resurrection will be held Thursday, May 2, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at the Chapel of the Holy Names in Lake Oswego, Oregon.
Burial will follow at Holy Names Cemetery in Marylhurst, Oregon.
Sister Mary Anne Jungblut, SNJM
March 7, 1939 – March 27, 2024
Sister Mary Anne Jungblut, SNJM, 85, died on March 27 at Mary’s Woods at Marylhurst in Lake Oswego. Mass of Resurrection will be Thursday, May 2, 11am, Chapel of the Holy Names at Marylhurst, Lake Oswego. Burial follows at Holy Names Cemetery.
Daughter of Carl and Alice Shimberg Jungblut, Mary Anne was born in Salem, Oregon. Except for a short time in Minnesota, Mary Anne, and her parents, along with her siblings, Virginia, John, Tom, and Gerald (Jerry) were long-time members of St. Vincent Parish in Salem.
Growing up, Mary Anne had a special relationship with her youngest brother Jerry, a relationship that shaped the heart and soul of the person Mary Anne came to be as a caring, welcoming, understanding adult. Jerry, who was 8 years younger than Mary Anne, was born developmentally disabled. It was Mary Anne who spent much time with Jerry playing with him, caring for him, being with him. She always spoke lovingly of Jerry and the time they shared together, a time that encouraged in her a tenderness for and acceptance of those with disabilities that permeated her actions for the rest of her life.
Mary Anne came to know the Sisters of the Holy Names at St. Vincent Grade School and Sacred Heart Academy. After her graduation from SHA in 1957, Mary Anne joined the Holy Names Sisters at Marylhurst, eventually receiving the religious name Sister Geraldine Mary.
Her first ministry as an SNJM was an assignment she didn’t particularly want. She had always dreamed of being a teacher, but the Community’s needs led her in another direction, serving as a nurse’s aide and then as an LPN in the Oregon Province Care Center at Marylhurst.
After 15 years, Mary Anne realized her dream of teaching, going back to school to complete a BA in Education from Portland State University. Her entire teaching career took place in Portland, including The Cathedral, Holy Cross, and Holy Redeemer Schools. She also served as director of the Volunteers of America Preschool.
Although teaching was her great love, she also shared her special empathy for disadvantaged and poor persons in numerous ways. She volunteered for many years with Operation Nightwatch and Transition Projects, which involved walking the streets of Portland’s Old Town area and attending to the needs of the homeless and often destitute persons there. Her work at the Volunteers of America also included helping single parents as well as their children.
Within the Holy Names Community, Mary Anne also lent her unique gifts and spiritual heart to the Committee for Lay Consecrated, accompanying women preparing to make private vows.
Sister Mary Anne will be remembered for her generosity of spirit and her advocacy for persons with disabilities. She was appreciated by many as a first-class cook and pie-maker and known to be a voracious reader with a range of interest from mystery stories to theology. In everything, Mary Anne was a steadfast friend, a woman with a grateful heart with “Thank You” as two of her favorite words and a woman with a wonderful sense of humor who enjoyed a good laugh.
A Holy Names Sister for 64 years, Sister Mary Anne is survived by her nieces and nephews, dear friends, and the members of her religious community. Remembrances may be made to the Sisters of the Holy Names, PO Box 398, Marylhurst, OR 97036 or online at www.snjmusontario.org/donate.