Sister Jeanne Kelly, CSJ (Sister Jeanne Monica), 93, died Monday, Sept. 3, 2018, at St. Joseph’s Provincial House, Latham. She had been a Sister of St. Joseph of Carondelet for 74 years.
Sister Jeanne was born on Nov. 23, 1924, in Syracuse, daughter of the late William and Mary Burns Kelly. After graduating from St. John’s Catholic Academy, she worked as a secretary at General Electric for two years. On Aug. 15, 1944, Sister Jeanne entered the novitiate of the Sisters of St. Joseph in Troy; she professed final vows on Aug. 15, 1949. She received a bachelor’s degree in mathematics and French and a master’s degree in French, both from The College of Saint Rose. For 25 years, Sister Jeanne taught math and French in schools in the Albany and Syracuse dioceses, including in the Syracuse Diocese: St. Patrick’s School, Binghamton; St. Patrick’s High School, Syracuse; St. Francis de Sales High School, Utica; and Bishop Grimes High School, Syracuse. For the remainder of her active years, she served in clerical and volunteer work at the Bishop Harrison Center and the Chancery in Syracuse. Sister Jeanne lived at St. Joseph’s Provincial House for the past 10 years.
Sister Jeanne was a gracious, faith-filled woman. An excellent teacher of mathematics and French, she worked diligently to inspire students with her own love of learning and to create a challenging, nurturing classroom environment. During her years in the clerical field, Sister Jeanne’s organizational abilities mixed with her interpersonal skills, lovely appearance, and friendly demeanor to create an aura welcome in any office. Her deep respect for others was shown in her ability to listen empathetically, and her genuine interest in others made her a wonderful conversationalist. Sister Jeanne leaves a lasting legacy of the influence of a caring heart, and she will be dearly missed.
Sister Jeanne is survived by several nieces and nephews and their families and by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet. In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by two brothers, Robert and Edward Kelly; and two sisters, Dorothy Webb and Kathryn Houde.
Sister Jeanne’s Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, Sept. 7, at 10:30 a.m. from the chapel of St. Joseph’s Provincial House, Latham. Contributions in Sister Jeanne’s memory may be made to the Development Office of the Sisters of St. Joseph, 385 Watervliet-Shaker Road, Latham, N.Y. 12110.
