Sr. Judith Schaeffer, OSF

COLORADO SPRINGS.  Sister Judith Anne Schaeffer died Aug. 3 at age 86 at Mount St. Francis. Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Aug. 21 at St. Francis of Assisi Church, followed by burial in Mount St. Francis Cemetery.

Sister Judith Anne was born Dec. 10, 1938 in Hammond, Indiana, to Edward and Blanche Shaeffer. She entered the Immaculate Heart of Mary Province of the Sisters of St. Francis of Perpetual Adoration on Aug. 12, 1956, in Mishawaka, Indiana. She professed final vows on Aug. 12, 1963. In 1989, Sister Judith transferred from the Immaculate Heart of Mary Province to St. Joseph Province at Mount St. Francis in Colorado Springs.

Sister Judith earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in English from St. Francis College in Fort Wayne, Indiana, and the University of Notre Dame. She also earned a doctorate in psychology from Loyola University in Chicago.

She taught middle school, high school and college classes in Indiana, serving as academic dean at St. Francis College from 1970-76 and 1980-83.

After moving to Colorado Springs, she worked as a clinical psychologist at Franciscan Community Counseling, where she remained until 2021. Sister Judith Anne was a gifted writer and had developed continuing education courses for those who worked in the field of mental health. She was also one of the founders of Bakhita Mountain Home, an organization that helps victims of sex trafficking.

Sister Judith is survived by her sisters, Mary and Helen, and her brother Anthony.