Sister Jude Ristey

Sister Jude Ristey, PBVM

(baptismal name Mary Theresa) entered eternal life on January 31, 2014, at the Presentation Motherhouse in San Francisco.   A native of San Jose, California, Sister Jude was born on July 9, 1929, and was a Sister of the Presentation for sixty seven years.   Sister Jude leaves her nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews, as well as her loving Presentation Sisters.  Sister Jude was the daughter of Mina Waste and Martin Ristey.   She was predeceased by her sisters Elizabeth, Lorraine, and Lavila.  

Sister Jude earned her B.A. in education from the University of San Francisco.  She began her thirty year ministry in Catholic education in 1949, teaching in Presentation elementary schools in San Francisco, Oakland, San Lorenzo, Gilroy, San Jose, and Los Angeles. 

In September, 1980, Sister Jude joined the Marriage Tribunal staff for the Archdiocese of San Francisco, as an Advocate.  In 1981, she filled that same position in the newly created Diocese of San Jose.   When she retired from the Tribunal in 2003, she was a Tribunal Manager-Case Instructor.  In 1987, she received a certificate in canon law from the Catholic University in Washington, D.C.  In 2000, she was honored with the Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice award from Pope John Paul II for her service to the San Jose Diocese.

From 2004 to 2012, Sister Jude worked part-time in the Archives of the Archdiocese of San Francisco.  During those years, she was a regular volunteer with the Second Harvest Food Bank and with the Saint Vincent de Paul Society.

Most recently, Sister Jude she has been engaged in the ministry of prayer for those with Parkinson's disease.

A vigil service will be held on Sunday, February 9, at 3:00 p.m. at the Presentation Motherhouse, 2340 Turk Boulevard, San Francisco.  A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, February 10, also at the Presentation Motherhouse, followed by interment which will take place at Holy Cross Cemetery, Colma.

Memorial contributions to the Sisters of the Presentation are preferred.  Contributions can be sent to Sisters of the Presentation, Development Office, 281 Masonic Avenue, San Francisco, CA  94118.