s. jean marie abbott

50th Jubilee
Sister Jean was born in St. Louis, Missouri. She entered the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet in 1961 and was received into the novitiate in 1962 as Sister Eugene Therese. She received a bachelor's degree in elementary education from Fontbonne College in 1966 and a master's degree in social work from St. Louis University in 1982.

In the 1960s and 70s, Sister Jean taught at Our Lady of Lourdes and Compton Heights schools. She also taught in Colorado.

She began her social work ministry at St. Henry Parish and St. Cronin Parish. In the 1980s she was a social worker in Guatemala and Nicaragua.

She then served as a counselor and therapist at the Central American Workers Sanctuary, Haven of Grace Shelter, and Provident Counseling, with a focus on serving refugees and immigrants, particularly those suffering from post traumatic stress disorder.

Since 2008, Sister Jean has served as the clinical director of the Center for Survivors of Torture and War Trauma in St. Louis.