Sister Jane Meehan, IHM
Sister Jane Meehan, IHM, (formerly known as Sister Annmarie) of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary died on Sunday, February 4 at Our Lady of Peace Residence in Scranton, PA.
She was born on February 12, 1928 in New Albany, PA. She was the daughter of the late James and Annabelle Healey Meehan. She entered the IHM Congregation on September 8, 1948 and made her temporary profession of vows on May 9, 1951 and her final profession of vows on August 2, 1954.
Sister Jane served as a teacher in the following schools: St. John the Evangelist Elementary School in Binghamton, NY, from 1951 to 1953; Our Lady of Grace Elementary School in Greensboro, NC, from 1953 to 1955; St. Thomas Aquinas Elementary School in Archbald, PA, from 1955 to 1957; St. Agnes Elementary School in Baltimore, MD, from 1957 to 1963; St. Ephrem Elementary School in Brooklyn, NY, from 1963 to 1968; and Our Lady Queen of Martyrs Elementary School in Forest Hills, NY, from 1968 to 1974.
She served as a guidance counselor at the following schools: Maria Regina Diocesan High School in Uniondale, NY, from 1974 to 1980; Bishop Neumann High School in Williamsport, PA, from 1980 to 1985; Bishop Hannon High School in Scranton, PA, from 1985 to 1987; St. Mary’s High School in Manhasset, NY, from 1987 to 1996; and Seton Catholic High School in Pittston, PA, from 1996 to 1997.
Sister Jane then served as minister to homebound parishioners at St. John the Baptist Parish in Pittsburgh, PA, from 1997 to 2004; pastoral visitor at the Marian Convent in Scranton, PA, from 2004 to 2006; pastoral visitor at Our Lady of Peace Residence in Scranton, PA, from 2006 to 2011; and as a member of the support service staff at the IHM Center in Scranton, PA, from 2011 to 2017.
From 2017 until the time of her death, Sister Jane was a prayer minister at Our Lady of Peace Residence in Scranton.
She received a Bachelor of Science degree in education and a Master of Science degree in counselor/secondary education from Marywood College.
She was preceded in death by two brothers, James Jr. and Francis, and two sisters, Mary Jackson and Kathleen.
She is survived by two sisters, Alice Rice of Massapequa, NY, and Annabelle Kravetz of Mildred, PA, and by the members of the IHM Congregation.
The funeral will be Saturday, February 10, at 9:00 a.m. with Mass of Christian Burial at Our Lady of Peace Residence, 2300 Adams Avenue in Scranton. Friends may call at Our Lady of Peace Residence on Friday, February 9, between 3:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. A prayer service will be held at 4:00 p.m. Interment will follow Mass on Saturday at St. Catherine’s Cemetery in Moscow, PA.
Memorial contributions may be made to support the retired IHM Sisters c/o the IHM Sisters Retirement Fund, IHM Center, 2300 Adams Avenue, Scranton, PA 18509.
Funeral: https://video.ibm.com/recorded/112714274
Vespers: https://video.ibm.com/recorded/112693287
Reprinted from "In Memoriam" section of Journey, Spring 2018 issue
Reflection given by Sister Ellen Maroney, IHM Congregation President
Sister Jane Meehan, funeral February 10, 2018
“Be it done unto me according to your word.” (Mary’s Fiat)
For sixty-seven years of religious life, Jane witnessed to these words of Mary’s Fiat by her dedication to God and her love of those who touched her life. From her fist days as an elementary school teacher to her last days of prayerful living here at Our Lady of Peace Residence, she was a gracious, kind, and gentle presence among us. We remember with admiration her ministry in education as a teacher and guidance counselor in schools in New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Maryland. Her love for the sick and elderly was evident in her ministry as a volunteer at our Marian Community Hospital and as a pastoral visitor to the homebound in Pittsburgh and later at the Marian Convent and Our Lady of Peace. Her thoughtfulness and generosity as a member the support service staff at the IHM Center were qualities that she also readily demonstrated when she came to OLP as a prayer minister last year. We and all who were touched by Jane’s life rejoice in the gift of her faithful and selfless presence among us.
Her joyful spirit came from a family who loved and nurtured her and who instilled in her a deep faith in and love of God and respect for all. That faith and love supported her throughout her life as she faced some health challenges which limited her physical stamina. Yet Jane lived the life she was given to the full, and appreciated the gift of each day. Maya Angelou has a quote that I think expresses what Jane believed and tried to live each day: “My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style.”
Passion, compassion, humor, and style: those who were fortunate enough to live or minister with Jane would agree that these qualities are part of her legacy to us. I would add to that list her generous spirit, her integrity, her bright smile, her perseverance, and so many kind acts. We heard some wonderful stories about these yesterday at her wake service. Jane had a special gift of lifting the hearts of those to whom she ministered, especially the sick and the homebound for whom she so lovingly cared and who so appreciated her visits. She treasured the opportunities to share the life-stories of those she met and relished the give-and-take of these conversations. In fact, those who knew Jane knew she loved conversations with almost anyone, and during these last two days with her family, I’ve come to know that it’s an inherited gift!
Jane will be missed by all of us, but we rejoice that she is now at home with her God and enjoying eternal life with her parents Annabelle and James, her sisters, Mary and Kathleen, and her brothers, James, Jr. and Francis, all who are now reunited with her and welcomed her into the joy of eternal life with the God she loved and served so well.
Our prayers are with her sisters, Annabelle and Alice, her nieces and nephews and their families, and all her family members and friends, her many IHM friends, the staff and sisters here at Our Lady of Peace, especially those in Household 2B, and all those who knew her. We ask the God of all consolation to comfort them at this time of loss.
Not quite two weeks ago, after Jane came back home from a hospital stay, she firmly stated to Sister Mary Kay and myself that she would just “take off head for the hills” rather than be hospitalized again. She said, “This is where I want to be.” Today Jane is basking in the freedom and everlasting joy of the hills not in Scranton, but in heaven and she is surely smiling eternally.
Annabelle will now place the scriptures on Jane’s casket, for she heard the Word of God, she staked her life upon it and received life to the full... the Word now beckons Jane home.
