A funeral Mass was celebrated for Sister Mary Jonette Rolando Oct. 13 at Mercy Center in Frontenac.

Sister Mary Jonette, 84, died at Mercy Hospital in Creve Coeur Oct. 9 following heart failure. She entered the Sisters of Mercy in St. Louis in 1960.

Born in Gillespie, Ill., and baptized Vivian Rolando, she earned master's degrees in special education and counseling and did post-graduate work at Care and Counseling, Inc. She educated hundreds of special-needs children in Bethesda, Md. Upon her return to St. Louis in 1974, she ministered as a psychotherapist, which afforded her the opportunity to make recommendations to parents regarding their children's care.

Sister Mary Jonette played and wrote music. She played the guitar, harmonica, piano, the accordion and the dulcimer.

In 2017 she moved to Catherine's Residence, the retirement home for the Sisters of Mercy. Although declining health inhibited her activity, Sister Mary Jonette dedicated her ministry of prayer for her community, family and needs of the world.

Survivors include a sister, Virginia Forehand of Bethalto, Ill.; and a brother, John Rolando of Petersburg, Ill.