School Sister of Notre Dame Julita (Stella) Jelen, 102, died at Resurrection Life Center on April 18.

She was a vowed member of the School Sisters of Notre Dame for 84 years.

Born in Chicago, she attended St. John Cantius School and St. Stanislaus Commercial High School. She was received into the novitiate in 1934 and was professed the following year. She taught first grade for 31 years at many schools, including St. Therese Chinese Catholic School. She opened a new school in Wisconsin with two companions before returning to the Archdiocese of Chicago to teach at St. Alphonsus; St. Anthony; and St. Benedict, Blue Island.

In 1975, Sister Julita became principal at St. Michael School in Old Town. Sister Julita was the last principal there; the school closed in 1981.

She was then principal of St. Columba School for 10 years. Following retirement, she remained at St. Columba, ministering to the homebound and elderly and volunteering as librarian and tutor in the school.

She moved to Resurrection Life Center in 2015.