A Mass of Christian Burial for Sister Sally Lessnau, D.C., was celebrated Nov. 18, 2014, at Seton Residence Chapel in Evansville, Ind. Burial followed at St. Joseph Cemetery in Evansville.
Sister Sally died Nov. 12, 2014. She was 71 years of age.
Born Nov. 17, 1942, in Detroit, Mich., Sister Sally was one of six children born to Raymond and Elizabeth (Doetsch) Lessnau. She was baptized Sally Ann Lessnau. Sister Sally was a 1960 graduate of St. Anthony High School in Detroit. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in education from St. Joseph College in Emmitsburg, Md., in 1964. In 1978, Sister completed her Master of Arts degree in humanities at the University of Evansville in Evansville.
Sister Sally entered the Daughters of Charity in Emmitsburg in August of 1961. At the time of her death, Sister Sally was 53 years vocation as a Daughter of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul.
Sister Sally served as an elementary school teacher at St. Christine’s School in Youngstown, Ohio (1964 to 1976), and at St. Thomas School in Long Beach, Miss. (1976 to 1980). She ministered as director of religious education at St. Mary’s Parish in Huntingburg, Ind. (1980 to 1989), and served as the Community’s Local Superior there (1983 to 1989); and at St. Theresa Parish in Gulfport, Miss. (1989 to 1992). In 1993, Sister was missioned to Walls, Miss., where she worked for Catholic Social Services (1993 to 1998). In 1998, she was missioned to Nashville, Tenn., to serve as a teacher at St. Vincent de Paul School (1998 to 2004) and later as a case manager for Catholic Charities (2004 to 2012). While in Nashville, Sister Sally served as Local Superior from 2006 to 2012. In Nashville, Sister Sally was interviewed by Andy Telli, reporter from the Tennessee Register, as she celebrated her 50th Jubilee. Sister reflected, “It’s been an exciting adventure.” In 2012, she began her work in social services in East St. Louis, Ill., while residing at the Daughters of Charity Seminary Residence in St. Louis, Mo. In August 2014, Sister Sally moved to Seton Residence in Evansville to serve in the Ministry of Prayer until the time of her death.
Sister Sally was preceded in death by her brother, Mark (Pat) Lessnau. Sister is survived by her brothers Robert (Carol) of Southgate, Mich.; and Kenneth (Mary Jane) of Howell, Mich.; her sisters Mary (Steve) Hudson of Fowlerville, Mich.; and Shirley Lessnau of Fowlerville, Mich.; many nieces and nephews; her Sisters in Community; and many friends.