September 30, 1942, was an exciting day for the Heck family in Omaha, Nebraska. Joseph and Genevieve Heck were expecting their second child. Their one-year-old daughter, Monica, eagerly awaited a baby sister or brother.
As the family story goes, when Sister Jo Denice’s mother was in the hospital giving birth, the doctor came into the waiting room to share the birth announcement with her father. The doctor said, “Were you hoping for a boy or a girl?” Her father replied, either. Well, the doctor said, you have both! They did not know that they were expecting twins thus Marilyn (later called Sister Jo Denice) was born and 8-10 minutes later her twin brother, Larry, was born. Her parents now had three children: Monica, called Mickey, Marilyn, Larry.
The young family lived with their maternal grandparents, but when a fourth child was on the way, her parents ventured out on their own. The family continued to grow as Bernie, Tom, Leo, and Joe followed. Marilyn was always proud of her sister and five brothers.
One day, the parish priest asked Marilyn if she had ever thought of religious life. This question planted a seed for Marilyn. She wrote to the School Sisters of St. Francis, inquiring about religious life. The community responded, but she never opened the letter. She just wasn’t ready.
After high school graduation, Marilyn worked for two years as a secretary for a soft water company. But the question of religious life was always there. Once again, she wrote to the School Sisters of St. Francis. By the end of summer, she was boarding a bus with young women from Ryan High School for St. Joseph Convent in Milwaukee.
At reception into the School Sisters of St. Francis on August 3,1963, Marilyn, like all new novices at that time, received her new name. It was a name her mother and father put together for her: Jo Denice. The name was precious to her, and later in life she made it her legal name. She was known as Sister Jo Denice from reception day forward.
Sister Jo Denice did not feel drawn to attend college. Thus, she began a lifelong service of nurturing, healing, and care beginning with working in the kitchen and the laundry. After vows, she went to Elgin, Nebraska. She thought “This is nice, I’ll be near to home.” But that didn’t last. Two weeks later, she was on her way to Ashland, Montana. The train arrived at the station at night, and she wondered, “Where in the world am I?”
Her years in Montana turned out to be growth-filled years. She remembered the beauty of the stars in that great open space, and the nights they would sit up on the hilltop to watch the dancing celebration of the powwows.
It was in Montana that Sister Jo Denice learned to drive. She recalled taking a sister to the hospital in Billings. They started after school, and it soon began to snow. A two-hour trip turned into a four-and-a-half-hour trip. Realizing they weren’t going to get back home that night; Sister Jo Denice called a motel. Because of the snow, there was only one room left: the bridal suite!
Sister Jo Denice’s next mission turned out to be a challenge. She was sent to New Prague, Minnesota, where the mission consisted of a few retired sisters and a sister teaching in the school. She was the youngest sister on the mission. Besides cooking, she was the driver and coordinator for the retired sisters. The care of the house was completely her responsibility. She was able to find comfort by riding her bike around town.
The next years were once again filled with growth and joy in her loving service to the sisters at Maria Linden in Rockford, Illinois. There, her list of duties grew, as did her skills. She found herself helping in accounting, making appointments, and assisting human resources personnel.
Changes with the status of Maria Linden in Rockford meant changes for Sister Jo Denice also. So, after 20 years of service at Maria Linden, she went on a sabbatical, which turned out to be the best thing she ever did. The program included body work and massage. During her internship she gave a massage to a pregnant woman and was thrilled to be able to feel the baby move.
From 2004 to 2021, Sister Jo Denice worked as a massage therapist. Additionally, during this time, she served as administrative assistant to the Executive Director at Sacred Heart. She also offered massage therapy at St. Joseph Convent and Our Lady of the Angels.
Sister Jo Denice was known for her ready smile and willingness to always help others in whatever way possible. Her ministries brought healing and comfort to many. Many here today experienced her healing through massage therapy and her graciousness.
Sister Jo Denice stated in her biography for her 60th Jubilee that she was born into a loving family. She was very proud of and devoted to her family:
Her Sister Mickey
Her twin brother Larry and sister-in-law, Sharon
Brother Bernie, who died in 2011, and sister-in-law Joan
Brother Tom and sister-in-law Linda
Brother Leo and sister-in law Cheryl
Brother Joe and sister-in-law Catherine
And many nieces and nephews.
Jo Denice, we your family, friends and School Sisters of St. Francis congregation, are grateful for your caring, healing, compassionate and loving presence among us. We will miss you. May you rest in peace.