Sr. Jacklyn Ann Bunch, MSC

OPELOUSAS- Sr. Jacklyn Ann Bunch, MSC (AKA Sr. John Berchmans, MSC) was born October 12, 1933, in New Orleans, Louisiana. She died at Our Lady of Prompt Succor Nursing Home on May 19, 2026, at 10:58 AM.

She was preceded in death by her father, Charles Jackson (Jack) Bunch who was in the Merchant Marines from Bath, North Carolina and her mother, Mary Cecilia Tallon Bunch from New Orleans, Louisiana. She was also preceded in death by her brothers: Jimmy, Jules, Frankie, Robert Neal, Joseph, and Charles Tallon Bunch.

Sister Jacklyn (Jackie) entered the Marianites of Holy Cross on September 7, 1954. She pronounced first vows on August 16, 1956, and pronounced perpetual vows on August 16, 1959. She received a Baccalaureate in education from Our Lady of Holy Cross College (now the University of Holy Cross). She did further studies in education and business administration at Loyola University, Xavier University, and Our Lady of the Lake University in San Antonio, Texas.

During her years of teaching, Sister Jackie served in New Orleans at St. Christopher, St. Agnes, St. Andrew, St. Cecilia, and Holy Angels; in Port Allen at Holy Family School; and in Lake Charles at St. Charles Academy.

Following her time in education, Sister Jackie served in various ways in business and administration. She served as assistant treasurer at Our Lady of Holy Cross College in New Orleans (now the University of Holy Cross). She served as resident manager at Christopher Inn for the Archdiocesan Apartments for the Elderly in New Orleans. She served as Manager in the national office for the Movement for a Better World in Washington, DC. She served as assistant treasurer in the finance office for the Louisiana Province for the Marianites. She served as the secretary for the general administration of the Marianites in their offices in Le Mans, in France; in Potomac, Maryland; and in Alexandria, Virginia. In her last twenty years of active ministry, she served in medical accounts and health insurance for the Marianites in North America. In this role, she came to personally know the people who worked in the local Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security Offices. These relationships enabled her to effectively navigate the sometimes-turbulent waters of departments in medical accounts and health insurance.

Her dry sense of humor and her wisdom were intertwined in all of her personal and professional relationships. Her dedication to her ministries and her work ethic were balanced with her love for reading and her love of opera music which she had learned from her mother. Most weekends were spent reading her favorite authors or attending the opera. This was sacred time for her which nourished her body, mind and spirit. In reflecting on her life, Sister Jackie recalled that while fulfilling her responsibilities in education, business and administration, she prayed for and depended on the wisdom and protection of the Blessed Mother Mary and St. Joseph to guide her work.

Due to declining health, she was admitted to Our Lady of Prompt Succor Nursing Home on July 14, 2017. In the nursing home, she was faithful in remembering feast days and birthdays of the Sisters with a card, note, and small gift unique for each one. As a resident, she was always most grateful to all who rendered service to her. Sister Jackie usually ended each encounter with – “Thank you, honey, for helping me.”

One of her favorite scripture passages was: “I am the living bread that came down from

heaven. Whoever eats this bread will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give, for the life of the world.” (John 6:51) We are most grateful to you, Jackie, for your love of the Eucharist and your personal prayer which nourished your life and which enabled you to feed us through your sharing of your God-given gifts and talents.

As Jackie enters eternal life, we can imagine the Lord, His Mother Mary, and St. Joseph say to her:

“Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithfully nourished by the living bread that came down from heaven, and you have been bread for others. Enter now into the heavenly banquet where your favorite music of the opera never ends!” (Adapted, Matthew 25:23)

To celebrate her life, a wake service will be held on Friday, May 22, 2026, from 8:30 AM – 9:30 AM in the chapel at Our Lady of Prompt Succor Nursing Home followed by the Mass of the Resurrection at 9:30 AM in the chapel. Burial will take place at St. Landry Cemetery in Opelousas.

We are deeply grateful to the staff of Our Lady of Prompt Succor Nursing Home for their compassionate care of and attention to Sr. Jackie during her years at Prompt Succor. She loved her time at the nursing home and delighted in being a part of the community there.

We also want to thank LHC Hospice staff who graciously assisted in her care the last days of her life.

In lieu of flowers, the Marianites of Holy Cross request that memorial donations be made to the Marianites of Holy Cross, Congregational Center, at 75520 Hwy 1081, Covington, Louisiana, 70435.

Words of Comfort to the family may be expressed at www.sibillefuneralhomes.com. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Sibille Funeral Home of Opelousas.