Thank You, Sister Carole!

Tuesday, July 07, 2026

After 60 incredible years dedicated to Catholic education and special education, Sister Carole Geiger, SND, announced her retirement at the conclusion of the 2025–26 school year.

For the past five years, the community at Julie Billiart School Westlake has had the unique privilege of experiencing Sister Carole’s warmth, spiritual guidance, wisdom, and steady presence. Her departure marks the end of an extraordinary era, but her legacy of love and learning will remain woven into the fabric of our schools forever.

Sister Carole began her journey in education at Julie Billiart School in Lyndhurst in 1966, where she discovered her deep passion and calling for serving children with special learning needs. Her career then took her to schools across both the Diocese of Cleveland and the Diocese of Youngstown, followed by a tenure as the program director of the Notre Dame Skills Lab. She later returned to special education at Metro Catholic School before coming back to her roots at Julie Billiart Schools.

She officially rejoined the JB family when JB Westlake opened its doors for the first time in 2021.

For 60 years, Sister Carole showed up for students and helped them believe in themselves. That is over a half-century of living out the Charism of the Sisters of Notre Dame by proclaiming God’s goodness through education, compassion, patience, and faith.

“We are so grateful for everything Sister Carole has given us,” said JB Westlake Principal Patrick O’Brien. “Every conversation, every quiet moment, and every lesson she has led has made Julie Billiart Schools a better place.”

Beyond her official duties supporting Faith Development and Enrichment, she has always gone above and beyond, truly exemplifying the JB Way through spiritual leadership, kindness, and humility. Her daily prayers, words of encouragement, and intentionality have helped our students grow academically, emotionally, and spiritually.

“There are not enough words to thank Sister Carole for all she has done for Julie Billiart Schools,” said President and CEO Lannie Davis-Frecker. “From her earliest days at JB Lyndhurst to being there with us on day one at Westlake, the impact she has made not just on our students, but on our faculty and staff, is immeasurable.”

While Sister Carole’s daily presence will be deeply missed, her gifts will continue to guide us. To celebrate her years of service and profound impact, a special bench will be placed on the playground at JB Westlake: “Sister Carole’s Buddy Bench.”

Thank you, Sister Carole, for an extraordinary career and a lifetime of unwavering dedication!