Born in Fort Wayne, Indiana, Sister Jackie, as she was known, entered the Congregation of the Sisters of Providence in 1950 and was given the name Sister Theodata. She professed final vows in 1957. Sister Jackie earned a bachelor’s degree from St. Mary-of-the-Woods College and a master’s degree from the University of Illinois, both in music.

Of her 71 years as a Sister of Providence, she ministered as music teacher for 50 years in schools in Indiana, Illinois and Missouri. In the Archdiocese of St. Louis, Sister Jackie taught at Annunziata and Our Lady of Providence schools from 1957-63 and at Our Lady of Providence from 1963-66.

In 2004, she returned to the motherhouse. Among her ministries were providing music for Providence Health Care, offering violin preludes for feast day and funeral liturgies, serving as receptionist at Woods Day Care and coordinating the alumnae of her alma mater, Ladywood High School, formerly in Indianapolis.

Survivors include a sister, Patricia Tummey of Randolph, New Jersey. A private funeral is planned for Feb. 16 with burial later in the cemetery of the Sisters of Providence.