foundress

The nuns had been preparing for the addition of a St. Joseph shrine, and that involved “the reinterment of the remains of our beloved foundress, Sister Wilhelmina,” the statement said.

“So Pocahontas becomes a foundress of the country with early Americans.”

Because of the order’s foundress, the nuns pray in French three times a week and English the rest of the time.

Jerkofsky said she combined that with the Sisters of St. Francis Immaculate’s foundress’s approach to service - to look for the greatest need, the one in front of you.

“The foundress was an extremely savvy businesswoman and financially astute,” Ms. Reed said.