Sister Jean O’Shaunecy – 70th Jubilee
Written on: August 6, 2024
Sister Jean O’Shaunecy (Sister James Marie)
As Sister Jean considers her 70 years as a Grey Nun, she says, “it has brought me comfort and joy to serve God throughout this whole journey.” Her life in ministry was focused primarily on educational endeavors, and she dedicated nearly 40 years to serving at her alma mater, Holy Angels Academy in Buffalo, New York. Her multi-faceted skills helped her take on a variety of roles there, including serving as a teacher, as Dean of Students, and as the Assistant and Associate Principal. As part of her great passion for learning, she earned degrees from D’Youville College, Villanova University, pursued studies at St. John Vianney Seminary (now Christ the King), and the State University of Buffalo. Sister Jean says, “Educational ministry was a great fit for me because I loved working with students, seeing them grow into young adults, and deepening their relationship with God.” During her tenure as a teacher, she particularly enjoyed teaching high school students a course called National Problems, which was a curriculum that focused on issues at the unique intersection of sociology, economics, and political science.
In her early years as a Grey Nun, Sister Jean taught for eight years at Little Flower High School in Philadelphia, served as the Vocation Director for the Grey Nuns, worked in a variety of service-oriented ministries at Response to Love, and served as an outreach Eucharistic Minister for Christ the King Parish. She looks back on her life in ministry with fondness for her wonderful students and a great gratitude for her deeply fulfilling life of service in God’s name.
If you write your Jubilee well-wishes in the comments section below, we’ll be sure to share your message with Sister Jean. Our Sisters love hearing from former students, coworkers, and friends from near and far!
Would you like to donate to the Grey Nuns in honor of Sister Jean’s Jubilee? Your prayers and financial gifts help us to care for our elder sisters, support our sisters in ministry, and enable us to live a life of prayer and advocacy for the most marginalized of God’s people. Please let us know if our Sisters can pray for you, and please pray for us!
16 thoughts on “Sister Jean O’Shaunecy – 70th Jubilee”
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Chrisy and I feel very sad about her passing, she has been a long time friend and mentor for many years. I’ve been in her prayers and she will always be in ours. She will be missed very dearly.
Dear Sister Jean! Thank you for all you have done for the many girls that grew through the halls of HAA! You were always a constant source of support and calm and always had a witty comment to make us laugh. We loved seeing you in the office behind the desk and were always willing to help in any way possible! Congratulations to you! You are a gem!
Congrats Sister Jean! Thank you for all you did for HAA! Thinking of you.
Greetings from the Ray Kamery Family in Cuba, NY. Ray and I are sitting around the table having pizza with Ray’s son Ian and Ron when we got a message from Ray’s daughter in London, a Holy Angels ’06 graduate, about a Facebook post of your Anniversary. We had just been talking about Grandma and Grandpa’s house in Olean and the great times we had in that house. You are in our thoughts and prayers. With love – Ray, Ian, Ron and Klara
Congratulations Sister Jean
I have so many wonderful memories!
Congratulations Sister Jean! You have touched so many lives through your years of service. Thank you.
With love,
Ginger Woodruff Johnson
HAA Class of 1989
A very nice tribute to your life in Ministry.
You were classmates of my Mother (Muffin) at HAA + D’YOUVILLE. Mother died in November 2022.
When we would run into each other at Canisius you always said “Give Muffin my love.”
You came to my father’s wake in 1982, w the elder Sister Jean.
Blessings and peace to you.
J. Jos. Van Volkenburg
Congratulations Sister Jean and God Bless you. It was a privilege working with you at Dear HAA for many years. You are a true servant leader.
Hi Sister Jean- what an amazing journey you have been on and touched so many lives. I loved having you for Religion class at Holy Angels, you really knew how to get through to teenage girls. Congrats on 70 years of compassionate service and teaching. I also loved that before you took on your vocation you knew my dad, Albert Maloney, just teens hanging out and having fun. You have brilliant smile and way about you. Thanks. Mary Beth
Sr. Jean O, congratulations! You hold a special place in my high school memories. I still refer to our junior year religion class (1982) about Christianity and moral decision making (I think). Your teachings and insights left a lasting impact and shaped my life at a critical time. Thank you. I also appreciated the personal notes you’d write on donation letters. Your smiles and personal touch meant so much. May your future years bring you more joy, peace and relaxation after years of service.
Congratulations Sister Jean! you have always been a wonderful leader and example of the love of God. You were my and many of the girls’ favorite teacher and always had a kind and encouraging word! Thank you for making an impact on all of our lives! Class of 1985
So happy to celebrate your life and ministry. I was a freshman taking geometry with you and was a scared new kid in a class of upper class man. You always made room for me within the class and were an AMAZING geometry teacher. It was my favorite class and was the reason I went to college to be a math teacher. The math thing never worked out but teaching, faith, and my love for teenagers (like you!) certainly did. You were a great blessing to HAA and in my life. Honored to have been touched by your life and ministry.
Congratulations Sister Jean!! What a legacy to be proud of! I always enjoyed having you pop into softball practice to check in on us and being able to come to the office and get guidance from you during my time at HAA. Congratulations!
Congratulations and well wishes to you Sister Jean! I have many fond memories of you at Holy Angels. You were always so joyful and kind to everyone!
Sincerely,
Kelly Snyder, HAA class of 2000
Many congratulations Sister Jean. I remember your class as if it was yesterday. Thank you for your service and your love of all the girls at HAA.
All my best wishes
Deborah Cross
Congratulations Sister Jean–you are a treasure! So grateful to have been taught by you when I was at Holy Angels…and then have you work with my daughter, Kaitlin, when she attended. You have been such a blessing in our lives–and so many others. May God bless you. Best wishes, Linda Spillman Garrity