SISTER M. JOYELLE PROOT, Baptized into the Hope of Christ’s Resurrection on Friday Oct. 31, 2025.
The oldest of three children was born to Kathryn (Dougherty) and Harold Proot on March 23, 1946, in St. Louis, Missouri. She was baptized on April 7, 1946, at Resurrection Church and named Judy Ann. Two younger brothers, Joseph and Kevin, were born into the Proot family.
Judy attended St. Martin of Tours Grade School and Rosati-Kain High School, both of which were staffed by School Sisters of Notre Dame. (SSND). While she participated in many of the high school activities, her greatest discovery was her attraction to art. During the summer of her junior year, she was a swimming instructor of preschoolers for the St. Louis Parks and Recreation Department. In the summer of her senior year, she was a clerical staff member at the First National Bank in St. Louis.
She felt a call to religious life and was drawn to SSND by the joy and commitment of her teachers and mentors. She entered the candidature at Sancta Maria in Ripa on August 23, 1964. She and her classmates were received into the novitiate on July 29, 1965, at the St. Louis Cathedral (now Cathedral Basilica). She was given the name M. Joyelle. She pronounced first vows on July 30, 1966, and final vows on July 30, 1971.
Sister Joyelle was granted a bachelor’s degree in art from the former Notre Dame College, St. Louis, Missouri in 1968. She continued her education at Arrowmont School of Art and Crafts, Gatlinburg, Tennessee, and the Maryland Institute of Art, Baltimore, Maryland.
Sister Joyelle was a high school teacher for two years at St. Francis de Sales High School and for eight years at Notre Dame High School, St. Louis, MO. She served in research at Maria Center on the campus of Sancta Maria in Ripa for three years and then served as a co-director providing adult education opportunities for 13 years. She was an administrator for early childhood education at Hope Center Preschool in St. Louis for one year before ministering at Most Holy Trinity Parish in St. Louis. During her 13 years at Most Holy Trinity, she served in a variety of ways: ministering to families, pastoral associate and associate principal of the elementary school. In 2005, she became a member of the Futuring SSND Charism Team for the former St. Louis Province. In 2012, she began to serve as a designer and artist for the Design for Spirituality and Charism ministry of SSND.
In mid-October 2025, her health condition declined significantly and she was hospitalized. In late October, she entered hospice care at deGreef Hospice House, St. Louis, MO. She passed peacefully in the afternoon of October 31, 2025, surrounded by her brother, friends and SSND community members.
During her years of ministry, Sister Joyelle developed numerous workshops, designed many exhibits, program covers, prayer cards, greeting cards, etc. She used her artistic gift to enhance province and individual celebrations and liturgies. May she now rejoice in the arms of her loving God!
Services: Funeral mass will be held on Friday Nov., 7th at Theresa Center Chapel, 320 E. Ripa Ave., 63125, at 11:15am. Visitation will begin at 9:30am with sharing of memories at 10:30am. Interment immediately following at Sancta Maria in Ripa Cemetery. Contributions may be made to School Sisters of Notre Dame.
A Service of Kutis City Chapel, 2906 Gravois Ave., 63118.
Services will be lived streamed at: http://www.ssndcp.org/live/smr
Sister Joyelle. You were a joy to be around. You always asked me where is God in your life.
Thank you for the years you were my spiritual director.
Pray for us.
Sally B
Though my heart has been aching since I first heard you were sick, the reality of your passing has yet to fully set in. It still feels like a dream because I simply cannot imagine a world without you in it. You’ve brought so much positivity, love, and wisdom into my life over these past 25+ years that I genuinely viewed you as my “Other Mother”– as I’ve affectionately called you since I was teen. You were a guiding light in so many aspects of my life and your words never failed to lift me up when I needed it most. Your smile/your energy was so comforting and uplifting that just being in your presence was therapeutic. It’s difficult to accept that I won’t be able to see your smile or hear your voice again, and my heart breaks for not being able to hug you one last time or tell you just how much you meant to me.
I love you with all my heart, my Other Mother, and I cannot put into words how much I miss you already.
My deepest sympathy.
KP sorry for your loss – Prayers for you and your family.
Sorry for your loss. My prayers are with you Kevin and your family.
Kevin,
You and your family are in my thoughts. I hope your memories of her help sustain you during this difficult time.
Please accept my deepest condolences.
“She leaned into life”. What a lovely sentiment from a beautiful ceremony. Kevin, you, your family, and friends are in my prayers. I hope all the good memories you had with your sister will be of continuing comfort.
My Deepest Sympathy to the Family of Sister Joyelle.
I too cannot imagine your passing nor do I want to. Yes, you brought so much joy and artistic imagination to myself and so many other NDHS students. Whenever I hear a Carol King song I think of my days at the Art House. You taught us so much, but most of all you always gave us and taught us to share a bright smile.
Our hearts miss you.
My love and Prayers,to You and Fr Reicker and Family.This was so surprising such a Dear loving soul.Sr Joyelle won our hearts with her stories of wisdom and calm.God bless your Free Spirit❣️🙏
RIP. I was a student of your’s at Notre Dame High School in Lemay, Mo. (But we didn’t live in Lemay is what my friends and I would say.) You were the Art Teacher in what was known as the Art House ar the time (Trying to be Progressive at the time) Anyway, you favored students and ignored those with the most creativity. May God’s eternal light shine upon you, “As it was in the Beginning now and Forever More, Amen.)
The first thing I remember about you is your amazing smile.
Joann Bevolo Quinn
While I never knew her, her brother spoke so highly. I know she is in a better place
I have thought about Sr Joyelle often. She was my art teacher from 1971-1975. I spent my whole senior year at The Art House. She helped me get my senior portfolio together for Washington University. I wish all her family and friends my deepest sympathies. She was a JOY to be around.
I had the privilege to spend two years of our Spiritual Direction program with her a dozen years ago. Our group is close and we continue to gather on zoom. I know we all miss her beautiful self! Joyelle wrote, “Our lives are woven together as ONE. Co-creating…embraced in Mystery, emerging…dancing in the wonder of surprising unfolding… listen…presence…mindful at home…relax in the Holy One. We live all is HOLY.” Our lives are woven as one and I am grateful for this blessed companion and to be a part of the great tapestry of her life. Let’s keep dancing!