Sister M. Jane Kehoe, IHM
Sister M. Jane Kehoe, IHM, of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary died on Monday, November 15, 1971, at Moses Taylor Hospital in Scranton, Pennsylvania.
She was born on March 3, 1916 in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, and given the name Elizabeth. She was the daughter of the late John A. and Jane (Jennie) Handley Kehoe. She entered the IHM Congregation on September 8, 1933, received the religious habit on April 24, 1934, and made profession of her vows on April 30, 1936.
Sister Jane served as a teacher in the following schools: Most Holy Rosary School in Syracuse, NY, from 1936 to 1937; St. Bernardine Elementary School in Baltimore, MD, from 1937 to 1953; St. Mary School in Goldsboro, NC, from 1953 to 1959; and Cathedral High School in Scranton, from 1959 to 1960.
Sister Jane served as principal and superior in the following schools: St. Mary School in Goldsboro, NC, from 1953 to 1959; Cathedral High School in Scranton, from 1960 to 1966; and St. Dominic School in Oyster Bay, NY, from 1966 to 1968.
In 1970, Sister Jane was elected to the IHM Congregation Administration as a Sector Superior (leadership team member).
She was preceded in death by a brother, John Aloysius, Jr.
She is survived by a sister-in-law, Angela Carey Kehoe.
Interment is at St. Catherine’s Cemetery in Moscow, Pennsylvania.
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.
Reflection on Mother Jane - Principal of Saint Mary's School in Goldsboro, NC, 1953 - 1959:
"Mother Jane is leaving us tomorrow; her six-year term as Superior has come to a close. It is extremely difficult to bid farewell to one who for six years labored incessantly and so unselfishly for the moral and spiritual welfare and for the intellectual development of the children of Saint Mary's School. Mother Jane's strong personality has impressed itself indelible upon Saint Mary's School; she will long be remember for the masterly way in which she has directed all the phases of the work of education, never failing to take advantage of every opportunity to place Saint Mary's School and its lofty ideals on the highest pedestal, so that it may shine forth as a powerhouse of our Christian heritage and as a mighty bulwark of true democracy and a sanctuary in which to enshrine forever the noblest ideals of our American way of life.
Indeed, Mother Jane's contribution to education and to Saint Mary's parish has been truly great. As Mother Jane has given of herself so unstintingly, so may she receive most abundantly from Our Lord, Who can never be outdone in generosity. You will be daily remembered in our humble prayers, Mother Jane.
We express to Sisters Therese Bernard, Regina, Mary Alan, Catherine Mary, and Vincent Marie our heartfelt gratitude for all the wonderful work they have done for Saint Mary's School and parish, and we look forward to their return next year."
Reflection from the Saint Rose Church Bulletin (St. Rose Parish in Carbondale, Pennsylvania) dated November 21, 1971:
"Thank God, I knew her
This past week God called to her reward Sister M. Jane Kehoe, an outstanding member of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. At her death she had been the Sector Superior of the I.H.M. Nuns in our area, and therefore had very quietly but efficiently been exercising great influence on our local schools and hospital. That they are presently as fine as they are, is due in no small part to Sister Jane.
This wonderful woman was truly and exemplary religious and a talented educator. Blessed with a great capacity for patient listening, she was bale to bring her sound religious principles into evaluating what she had heart. With both feet on the ground she left no doubt that her love of God was her main motivating principle. No effort on her part therefore was too great a sacrifice if God and His Children were to be served. Hers was a life of giving, and her only desire was to give more. In a selfish world she stood out as a beacon of Christian living that made life better for all who came within her sphere of influence.
While we compassionate our good Sisters on their loss of Sister Jane, we congratulate them on being able to turn our such women in this day and age. That there have been many other like her is demonstrated by the history of our Immaculate Heart Sisters in Carbondale. Our children are better Christians and citizens, and our community of Carbondale is spiritually and culturally much richer because our good I.H.M. Sisters have labored in Carbondale for a good century.
Mary God grant eternal rest to Sister Jane and may her contributions got God and country inspire many young women to emulate her example."
