SISTER JOAN (Mary Leon) RANGE, ASC, of the Adorers of the Blood of Christ, Ruma Center, Ruma, Illinois, passed away at 8:40 am, Thursday, May 7, 2015 at Ruma Center, Ruma, Illinois. She was 83 years old and had been professed 64 years. She was born to the late John and Grace (nee Jerome) Range in Granite City, Illinois on July 14, 1931. She made her first vows as an Adorer of the Blood of Christ on July 1, 1950 and final profession on July 1, 1955. Sister Joan taught in elementary schools for 6 years early in her religious life: Murphysboro, IL, Fort Dodge, IA and St. Louis, MO; in secondary schools for five years: Waterloos, IL and Ruma, IL. Her 30 years in university teaching were spent at Saint Louis University, St. Louis, MO, with an additional semester at the university's campus in Madrid, Spain. Sister Joan retired to the Ruma Center in June 2003. Sister Joan earned her B.A. in Theology in 1959 and her M.A. in philosophy in 1964, both from Saint Louis University. Her Ph.D., also in Theology, was earned from Fordham University in New York in 1971. She received her degree in Canon Law at St. Elizabeth in Ottawa, Ontario Canada. Additional accomplishments include directing Saint Louis University's doctoral program for the department of theological studies; co-developing a program for certification in Women's Studies through the College of Arts and Sciences. She also served as president of the university's Women's Commission for which she developed and conducted an annual symposium called "Women on Women". On Friday, May 8, the day after Sr. Joan's death, she and Dr. Judith Gibbons were given the Founders Awards for 2015 from Saint Louis University "in recognition of your joint leadership in the founding of the Women's Studies program at SLU. Your name will be added to a plaque hanging in the Women's and Gender Studies area in McGannon Hall." Sr. Joan was the first women to hold a major office in the Canon Law Society of America and to serve on the Society's Board of Governors. She presented a scholarly paper at the Fifth International Congress on Canon Law in Ottawa, Canada. During her time as Associate Professor at Saint Louis University, she also served as one of the judges on Missouri's Inter-diocesan Marriage Tribunal. She spent a semester in La Paz, Bolivia doing research on women for University Studies and authored numerous articles for national publications. Sr. Joan served on her religious community's leadership council, directed young candidates for the sisterhood, held the position of religious leader at De Mattias Hall, her order's house of studies on Saint Louis University campus, and served as a member of her community's formation team. Survivors: 2 Brothers John "Jack" (Miriam) Range Jerome (Mary Christine) Range Preceded in death by: her parents It was Sister Joan's wishes to donate her body to Saint Louis University School of Medicine. On Saturday, May 16, at 9:30 am, a Prayer Service and Sharing of Memories will be held at the Ruma Center. The Eucharist will follow at 10:30 am with Fr. Mike Lydon, a friend of Sr. Joan's, presiding. Donations in memory of Sister Joan Range may be sent to the ASC Retirement Fund, 4233 Sulphur Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63109 or online at www.adorers.org, "Support Our Ministries".
