Jeanne Deckers AKA The Singing Nun or Soeur Sourire in Normandy, France |
The Life and Death of the Singing Nun The Faceless Voice of Fichermont Convent |
Born Jeanne-Paule Marie Deckers on October 17, 1933 at 2:25pm in Brussels, Belgium Died at the Green Horizons apartment building on March 29, 1985 of suicide in Wavre, Belgium. |
Jeannine Deckers' companion of 25 years, Annie Pecher. Annie's book on psychomotor therapy with autistic children is still being used as a reference tool. Pecher commited suicide with Deckers in their apartment in 1985. |
The world only knew the smiling nun who captured the attention of Ed Sullivan, the woman in the white habit who sweetly strummed her guitar, Sister Adele. Her real name and face was not revealed to the public. His broadcast from Fichermont convent in 1964 was the first of its kind and introduced the public to the elusive world of cloistered nuns. The song Dominique topped the Billboard chart in 1963 |
Jeannine entered Fichermont convent in 1959 to serve God after attending art school against the wishes of her parents. She left the order in July 1966 believing that she could better serve God outside the convent walls. Philips cancelled her recording contract that August. |
From the book by D.A. Chadwick and Florence Delaporte Music from the Soul: The Singing Nun Story. Photo by MBS |
As a young novice, Sr. Luc Gabriel decorated the convent newsletter and calender. |
Photo from Music from the Soul. Taken by Alain Clossen Green Horzons apartment builidng at 144 Chaussee de Bruxelles, Wavre Belgium Deckers committed suicide in apartment 47 B along with Annie Pecher. |
Music from the Soul: The Singing Nun Story by D.A. Chadwick and Florence Delaporte. Graphic designed by Chadwick from original watercolors For more information on Jeannine Deckers/The Singing Nun read Music from the Soul: The Singing Nun Story with photographs never before seen by the public. |
