Edna was born June 4, 1902, one of 12 children born to Thomas and Catherine Peake Ferriell at Holy Cross, Ky. Her formal education began at Holy Cross School under Gonzaga Sims. Later, the Ursuline Sisters came to Holy Cross, and Edna met Sister Mary Anna, who taught her several years, and inspired in her a desire to be an Ursuline.
On July 19, 1920, Edna entered the Mount Saint Joseph novitiate for her training as an Ursuline educator. She received the habit and the name Sister Jean Paschal on March 19, 1921.
Sister Jean Paschal’s apostolate of teaching music began at St. James School, Louisville, in August 1921. Her 62 years in music education took her subsequently to Nebraska, Missouri, Indiana, and several schools in the Louisville Diocese, among them St. James, St. Columba, St. Bartholomew, and St. Francis. Her last 14 years in music were spent at St. Bartholomew. In 1983, she decided to retire to the Motherhouse.
During the years that followed, Sister cultivated a deep prayer life, and a great devotion to Mary. She was an outgoing person, and did not forget the people she had met, keeping in touch with many. A great part of her day was spent in visiting and helping home Sisters and those who came in from the missions for brief visits.
On September 9, 1995, at 12:25 a.m., Sister died peacefully at Mercy Hospital, in Owensboro, Ky. Her funeral Mass was celebrated by Reverend Bernard Powers. Her remains are buried in the convent cemetery.