S. Joann Blomme was born in Detroit, Michigan to Odiel and Mildred, the second of five Blomme children. She was an active, athletic child, spending a lot of time outdoors playing basketball and baseball, biking, and roller and ice skating. “Our neighborhood was an extended family where we all knew to run home when the street lights went on! Friends lived very close by, attended the same school, and the parents knew our friends,” said S. Jo. The Blomme kids were responsible for household chores, meal time, earning their own spending money and school expectations like getting good grades and having good behavior in the classroom.
She attended Assumption Grotto Grade School staffed by Racine Dominicans and had an aunt who was a member of the Racine Dominican community. She was often struck by the happiness of the Sisters, the kindness they showed each other and the fun they had together. In addition, her Mom received the Maryknoll Missions magazine, which “shared good little stories about true missionary experiences. These built a quiet desire to someday do the same thing,” said S. Jo.
She entered the Racine Dominican Community in September of 1955, taking first vows in 1959 and final vows in 1965. She was given the name S. Marilyn before returning to her baptismal name of S. Joann, or S. Jo as she is affectionately known.
She received a bachelor’s degree from Dominican College and then began her ministry work as a teacher in Wisconsin, including at St. Edwards and St. Mary’s in Racine and St. Mary’s in Tomah, before coming back to Racine to teach at Stephen Bull Elementary in the Racine Unified School District. The school had a diverse population of students which brought with it many unique challenges and opportunities. Her time at Stephen Bull taught her so much about social justice and helped prepare her for the multicultural experiences that would come later in her ministry. “I found those eight years to be a very privileged and blessed time,” says S. Jo. She taught for more than 17 years and her time in the classroom brought her much joy.
After teaching, S. Jo became the Formation Director for the Racine Dominicans and then graduated with a master’s degree in counseling from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.
She then embarked on a new and special journey, one that would be life-changing and life-giving. S. Jo heard about an opening for a mental health counselor in a medical clinic in Tutwiler, Mississippi, the poorest county in the state. The clinic was staffed by six different religious communities with lay women. “It actually took me about 10 whole minutes to know in my heart this could be the place,” says S. Jo.
It actually took me about 10 whole minutes to know in my heart this could be the place.
sister joann blomme
S. Jo worked tirelessly with her neighbors in the Tutwiler community, helping families navigate the healthcare system, listening to problems, speaking about faith, doing home visits, helping to find resources and co-founding and co-directing a quilting group that has operated until the present. The people of Tutwiler welcomed S. Jo into their community, and for more than 30 years she became a part of the fabric of their lives. “For 30 years I made Mississippi my home – knowing, loving and learning from hundreds of beautiful people, their families, their faith and their struggles,” says S. Jo.
Her love of nature and joy of being outside continued in Mississippi. She, along with a group of Sisters, participated in many 5K and 10K races. The most challenging race was a half-marathon in Jackson, Mississippi (pictured below). She took third place in her age group, making for a happy finish to a long race!
After returning to Racine, she found that doing the work of justice and sharing the story of faith is never truly done. “Early on in my time as a Racine Dominican, as I came to know more about our mission and charism, I was inspired by our Sisters,” says S. Jo. “These women seemed urged, moved, motivated and driven by something bigger than themselves. That has led me to continue to live my own life committed to truth and compelled to justice, and to share it with others. Our mission and charism is contagious!”
In her free time, you will still find S. Jo outside taking her daily walks and spending time in nature. She is an avid reader and helps in the Racine Dominican library on various projects. S. Jo continues to be of service and fight for justice issues in many ways, including helping at local non-profits. She still has that missionary fire in her heart and continues to use it to further the work of justice and share the mission and charism of the Sisters. “As a Racine Dominican, I hope we remain strongly mission-minded in all decisions we make and actions we take,” says S. Jo. “We actively believe that the God who got us this far will be there to the end, guiding our ship to the shore!”
Reflecting on her life, her faith and the time she spent in service to others, S. Jo is very grateful for the lessons God put in her path and for the chance to live the gospel as Jesus taught us. As she says, “My faith journey has come from my home, my education and my life experiences. As I reflect on all those influences, I know my life among the poor held for me compelling lessons in living a faith-filled life.”
— by Kyla Mrazek