Born in Springfield, Ky., on Feb. 25, 1905, Mary Hazel was the daughter of Joseph and Jeromena Bell Willett, one of 10 children. She received her early schooling at several places —Howardstown, New Hope, and Fredericktown. At the age of 17, Mary Hazel entered the novitiate at Mount Saint Joseph. On March 19, 1923, following a 10-month postulancy, she received the Ursuline habit and the name Sister Jeromena.
Sister Jeromena received her high school education at Mount Saint Joseph during the novitiate. Her first assignment was to St. Columba School in Louisville. During her 49 years of teaching and/or serving as principal and superior, Sister Jeromena was missioned to the Kentucky cities of Rome, St. Raphael, Jeffersontown, Shively, Louisville (St. Columba twice), Waverly, New Haven, Stanley, Owensboro (St. Joseph twice), Peonia, Shively, Lebanon (St. Charles), Holy Cross, and Buechel. Beginning in 1973, Sister retired from teaching and spent nine years at St. Edward Convent in Jeffersontown, Ky., making quilts for the annual Mount Saint Joseph Picnic, and preparing meals.
In April 1982, Sister Jeromena returned to Mount Saint Joseph. She experienced the painful loss of memory but never lost her cheerful disposition or became depressed. The slow process of aging continued to weaken her health. She died quietly, October 9, 1986. Her funeral Mass was celebrated by Father Anthony Shonis, chaplain, and Msgr. Bernard Powers. Sister Jeromena’s remains are buried in the convent cemetery.