Drue Lehmann left a generous gift to the Sisters in her estate plans.
Drue Lehmann, 76, could be described in many ways: a speech-language pathologist, professor, dedicated Catholic, one of five sisters, loyal friend, symphony lover, Ohio State Buckeye fan.
But growing up on a 1,200-acre farm in Pickaway County, Ohio, is perhaps what shaped her life the most.
After her death in 2024, Drue’s obituary described how she “loved the beauty of the land, freedom to ride her horse and to hunt, the privilege of enjoying the wonders of nature.” Friends confirm her happiest days were spent in the dirt, overseeing the corn and soybeans on her family’s land in Lockbourne.
Described as a natural leader and astute businesswoman, Drue inherited responsibility for managing Lehmann Farms in 2002. She took the lead in rezoning the property and preparing it for sale according to her late father’s wishes. The task meant she and her sisters were the last Lehmanns to own a tract of land that had been in the family for more than 70 years.
A member of Our Lord Christ the King Catholic Church in Cincinnati, Drue never forgot her former teachers, the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur at St. Joseph Academy in Columbus. Her affection for a beloved elementary teacher, Sister Angela Louise, inspired Drue to support the mission of the Sisters for 25 consecutive years. The majority of her gifts were in honor of her parents, Selmar and Francie Lehmann.
“In a conversation a few years back, Drue indicated to me that she was very grateful for her education and wanted to give back,” says Karen Hadden, associate director of development. “She appreciated the work of the Sisters.”
Diagnosed with ALS in 2021, Drue named the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur as a beneficiary of her IRA accounts held with Merrill Lynch. Her last gift in May 2024 was a portion of her final estate.
With a bright, contagious smile, Drue retained a positive approach to life and her spirituality despite her illness. In gratitude for her life and loyalty, the Sisters prayerfully remember Drue, her faith and her impact on the world.