Sister Jeanne Stegmann (Sr. Catherine Gerard) SUSC, died December 27, 2020 at Catholic Memorial Home, Fall River. Born in New York City on September 15, 1934, she was the daughter of the late Herman and Catherine (McMenamin) Stegmann. In addition to her Holy Union Sisters, her nieces Jeanne Besanty, Nancy Dodd, Diane Stegmann, nephew Paul and his wife Laura, grandnephews and her dear friend Sr. Mary Bridget McGettigan survive her. She was predeceased by her brother Robert and sister-in-law Marian Stegmann.
Sr. Jeanne entered the Holy Union Sisters on August 22, 1952 and pronounced her final vows August 22, 1961. She was a graduate of the Holy Union Preparatory School, studied at Providence Catholic Teachers College and received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Education from the College of the Sacred Hearts. She received a Master of Science Degree in Education from Manhattan College, New York.
Sr. Jeanne ministered in education for over 40 years. She taught junior high classes in parish schools in Maryland, Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey and Rhode Island. She served as principal at Immaculate Conception School, Astoria New York for twenty-three years before she retired in 2002. When the Holy Union Sisters left Immaculate Conception Parish in 2017, Sr. Jeanne’s declining health necessitated a move to Catholic Memorial Home, Fall River where she resided until her death.
Sister Jeanne and I have been friends since the summer of 1968 when we worked in Summer in the City in the South Bronx. We remained friends ever since that summer. I was a seminarian who was inspired by her example of charity to all and commitment to the poor. The kids in our program of whom there were hundreds flocked around her as she softy engaged them in the various projects we were doing. They were mesmerized by her gentility and instinctively knew she loved them. She drew them into the love of God. A tribute to the Holy Union charism which was so much a part of her life. Jeanne did the same for so many during her many years of ministry as a consecrated religious.
A note from Bishop Dennis Sullivan, Bishop of Camden, NJ
Her genuine and loving interest in how my life was going during the formation years of the seminary was helpful and inspiring. Her monthly letters (no phone calls allowed in those seminary days) were always appreciated and contained much needed and balanced advice. Over these many years from time to time we would go out and enjoy conversation and catching up. Jeanne went out of her way to be present to me in times of personal sorrow for which I was so grateful. I so enjoyed visits and meals and offering Mass for the communities at St Francis de Sales and Astoria. I especially treasure a phone call I received from her on the day it was announced that I was going to be ordained a bishop. Her faith, love and humor calmed me down and her sisterly counsel remains ever in my heart these past 16 years of episcopacy.
How sad I am that she is gone from this life but I believe she lives in the Communion of Saints and is ever close. How grateful I am that our paths crossed in this life. She enriched my life. Rest dear Jeanne in a well-deserved peace until the Day of Resurrection and pray for your loving friend, +Dennis Sullivan, bishop of Camden.
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