Sister Jacqueline Shively of Monastery Immaculate Conception in Ferdinand, Indiana, passed away at 4:52 p.m. on Sunday, April 19, 2026, at Scenic Hills at the Monastery.
She was born Janet Susan Shively on February 25, 1937, in Whitesville, Kentucky, the eldest of six children of J.C. and Mae Veronica (Thompson) Shively. She entered the Sisters of St. Benedict of Ferdinand in 1954 from Saint Mary of the Woods in Whitesville and made her monastic vows in 1956.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her brother John David Shively and sister-in-law Alisa Kay (Jackie) Shively; her brother Raymond Edward Shively and sister-in-law Linda Caril (Ray) Shively; and her brother-in-law Martin Sablik. She is survived by her brother James Louis Shively and sister-in-law Ina Jean (Menser) Shively; her brother William Eugene Shively and sister-in-law Brenda Kay (Hardesty) Shively; and her sister Beverly Ann (Shively) Sablik, along with several nieces and nephews and her religious family.
Sister Jacqueline earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from St. Benedict College in Ferdinand, Indiana, and a master’s degree in elementary education with a minor in mathematics and science from Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
She served for decades as a teacher across Indiana, including at Saint Bartholomew Elementary School in Columbus, Saint Francis Xavier Elementary School in Poseyville, Saint Mary Elementary School in Washington, and both Holy Spirit Elementary School and Holy Redeemer Elementary School in Evansville. She also served as assistant director in the Diocesan Vocation Office for the Diocese of Evansville and as an administrative assistant in the Marian Heights Academy business office.
At the monastery in Ferdinand, she served in several roles, including administrative assistant in the business office and to the leadership team, part-time assistant to the vocation director, liturgy assistant, schola music assistant, mail clerk, and in prayer booklet subscriptions.
Faith was a central part of Sister Jacqueline’s life. Before joining the community, she regularly attended Vespers, eventually receiving her own prayer book from the Sisters. Inspired by their kindness and genuine care, she chose to follow their path into religious life.
Public visitation will be held in the Marian Parlor at Monastery Immaculate Conception in Ferdinand on Thursday, April 23, from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. and 6:00 to 6:45 p.m. EDT, and on Friday, April 24, from 2:00 to 4:15 p.m. EDT in the monastery church. A vigil service will be held Thursday at 7:00 p.m. EDT in the monastery church. The funeral liturgy will take place Friday at 4:30 p.m. EDT, with burial of the cremains at a later date. The public may view the vigil service and funeral mass at funeral.thedome.org.
Rainey Funeral Home in Dale is in charge of arrangements. Memorial contributions may be made to the Sisters of St. Benedict of Ferdinand.
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