Sister Jean O’Shaunecy, GNSH

Written on: September 3, 2024

Sister Jean O’Shaunecy, GNSH, 92, formerly Sister James Marie, died August 30, 2024 in the 70^th year of her religious life.

A lifelong educator, her time in the classroom spanned more than 50 years at the high school level at Little Flower (1958-1966) in Philadelphia, PA and Holy Angels Academy (HAA) (1970-2009) in Buffalo, NY. These years included responsibilities as a teacher (1970-84), dean of students (1985), assistant principal (1986-89) and associate principal (1989-2009).  She also served in development at HAA for several years.  After a sabbatical, she retired and continued to serve in intracommunity service and in volunteer service in Buffalo.

Prior to focusing exclusively on secondary education, she briefly taught at the elementary level at St Joan of Arc, Jackson Heights, NY (1957-58) and Melrose Academy, Philadelphia, PA (1954-55).

She previously served her congregation as Vocation Director (1966-70) in Yardley, PA.

Daughter of the late James W. and Ethel Potts O’Shaunecy, she was born June 14, 1932, In Buffalo, NY. She graduated from Holy Angels Academy (1950) and received a Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics from D’Youville College, Buffalo, NY (1954), entering the Grey Nuns of the Sacred Heart that same year.  She later was awarded an MS/Secondary School Sciences from Villanova University. Post-graduate studies were received at St. John Vianney Seminary and the State University at Buffalo.

Sister was predeceased by her brother James, Jr., stepfather, Dr. Mark Conley, stepbrother, Mark, Jr. and stepsister, Janet Lange. In addition to her religious congregation, Sister Jean is survived by her sisters-in-law, Ethel O’Shaunecy and Nancy Conley and her cousin, Dr. Susan Wright (husband Carol), as well as nieces and nephews.

The wake will be from 3:00-7:00 pm Friday, Sept. 6 at Amigone Funeral Home, 5200 Sheridan Dr., Williamsville, NY. The funeral Mass will take place on Saturday, Sept. 7, 9:30 am at Christ the King Church, 30 Lamarck Dr., Amherst, NY. Burial in Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Kenmore, NY.

Would you like to donate to the Grey Nuns to honor the life and service of Sister Jean? 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!

Donations may be made online or mailed to the Grey Nuns of the Sacred Heart, 928 Jaymor Rd., Suite C-120, Southampton, PA 18966.

This entry was posted in In Loving Memory and tagged: D'Youville College, Holy Angels Academy, Little Flower, Sister James Marie, Sister Jean O’Shaunecy, St. John Vianney Seminary, State University at Buffalo, Villanova University