Obituary of Sr. Jeanne Marie Williams, OSF

BORN: Jeanne Marie Williams, May 19, 1941, Barrington, RI DIED: August 6, 2022. St. Anthony’s Hospital, St. Petersburg, Florida DAUGHTER OF: John and Eileen O’Neill Williams, Barrington, RI Jeanne entered the Franciscan Sisters of Allegany on September 8, 1959, was received into the Congregation on July 2, 1960 and professed her final vows on July 2, 1967. For 63 years, Sister lived her commitment to Franciscan values through her ministry and life in community. Sr. Jeanne completed elementary school at St. Paul School, Warwick, RI and graduated from St. Mary Academy, Riverside, RI in 1959. She attended St. Elizabeth Teacher College in Allegany, NY, receiving a Bachelor of Science Degree in Math, with minors in Philosophy and English from St. Bonaventure University. Jeanne pursued graduate studies at Villanova University, Villanova, PA; St. Bonaventure University, St. Bonaventure, NY; The School of Applied Theology, Berkley, CA and Neumann College, Aston, PA earning a Masters’ Degrees in Sacred Science (St. Bonaventure) and Pastoral Care and Counseling (Neumann College). Sister began her ministry in education in Congregational schools, teaching mathematics to high school students at St. Paul HS, St. Petersburg, FL; St. Mary HS, Cortland, NY; and Little Flower HS, Ft. Myers, FL until 1980. She then completed an internship in Youth Ministry at Rye Beach, NH and in 1981 became part of the retreat team for The Franciscan Center in Tampa, FL. In 1985, Sr. Jeanne earned her certification in Massage Therapy and began a career in health care at St. Joseph Hospital, Tampa, FL. In 2000, she was elected as a member of the Regional III Leadership Team, serving until 2002. She served as the Co-Director of Mission Integration Office for the Congregation until 2004. In 2005, Jeanne was elected as Co-Regional for the US and relocated to New Jersey. In 2008, she accepted the ministry as Director of the Franciscan Sisters of Allegany Associate Program, which she held until her retirement in 2020. Sr. Jeanne was truly accomplished in many areas, serving as a Spiritual Retreat Director, Liturgist and Musician. What profession she held no means defined who Jeanne was. She encompassed the various gifts God bestowed on her–which she lovingly shared with others. Her love, smile and infectious laugh were imparted abundantly with others. On July 14th, Enterprising Latinas, a program of Allegany Franciscan Ministries, honored Sr. Jeanne by naming a new building after her because she exemplifies the role Franciscan Sisters of Allegany have had in Florida communities for nearly 100 years. Sr. Jeanne is predeceased in death by her parents, John and Eileen O’Neill Williams, a brother, John Williams, Jr, an Aunt, Sr. Roslima O’Neill and a Great Aunt, Sr. M. Joachim McCarthy, both Franciscan Sisters of Allegany. She is survived by a sister-in-law, Joan Williams. A Wake Service will be held Friday, August 12, 2022 at 4:00PM in the Chapel of St. Elizabeth Motherhouse, Allegany, New York. The Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 10:30AM, Saturday, August 13, 2022 in the Motherhouse Chapel, followed by burial in St. Bonaventure Cemetery Allegany, New York. The funeral arrangements are under the direction of Letro-McIntosh-Spink Funeral Home, Inc. 646 East State Street, Olean, NY. For condolences and comments, please visit www.letromcintoshspinkfuneralhome.com The funeral arrangements in Florida were under the direction of Brett Funeral Home, Inc.