Sister Janice Marie Firn died in Camilla Hall on Wednesday, December 17, 2025 not long after her 87th birthday. Sister died in the 68th year of her religious life. Janice Firn was born on November 20, 1938. Her parents George and Helen M. (Griffin) Firn raised Janice and her four brothers in Immaculate Conception Parish in Philadelphia. Janice attended Immaculate Conception Elementary School (1944-1952) then Little Flower High School (1952-1956). Later while in community, Sister Janice completed her A.B. degree in Theology at Immaculata College and a Master of Arts degree in Pastoral Ministry from Boston College.
On July 16, 1957, Janice entered the Congregation of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Janice received her habit and her religious name, Sister Janice Marie, on January 16, 1958. Sister pronounced her First Vows on January 16, 1960.
In January 1960 her ministry of dedicated service began. Sister served children and families in many parishes in Philadelphia (and surrounding areas), Virginia, and New Jersey.
Sister Janice taught children in Sacred Heart School in Philadelphia (61-62), Sacred Heart School in Reading (62-63), St. James School in Falls Church, Virginia (63-65), Sacred Heart School in Havertown (65-68), St. Francis de Sales School in Philadelphia (68-73), St. Mark-Ephrem in Bristol (73-77), St. Michael in Annandale, VA (77-78), Good Shepherd, Philadelphia (78-81) and Holy Trinity in Morrisville (81-82).
In 1982 Sister Janice went to St. Teresa Parish in Runnemede, NJ to serve as superior and principal (82-86) and continued in that paired role at St. Edmond Parish in Philadelphia (86-90). In 1990 Sister served as principal of St. David School in Willow Grove and in 1996 Sister returned to classroom teaching in St. Willliam School in Philadelphia.
In 2001 Sister began a different ministry of service. Sister resided in Queen of Heaven Convent and served as Pastoral Minister in St. Pius X Parish in Cherry Hill, NJ and later (2009) in Christ the King Parish in Haddonfield, NJ. In August 2012, Sister returned to Philadelphia to Our Lady of Ransom Parish where, for the next two years, she served as the Parish Visitor.
In August 2014, Sister Janice discerned her call to service at Camilla Hall Infirmary where first she assisted the Sisters there, residing at Pacis Hall, then transitioning to the Apostolate of Prayer in September 2020. On December 17, 2025, Sister died peacefully in the prayerful presence of her IHM Sisters.
Sister Janice Marie is survived by her IHM Community, her brothers Eugene Firn and Joseph Firn (Mary), her sisters-in-law, Anne and Donna and her many nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews. Sister’s parents George W. Firn and Helen M. (Griffin) Firn, her brothers James Firn, and John Firn predeceased Sister.
Reverend Michael J. Gerlach celebrated Sister Janice Marie’s Funeral Mass along with Reverend John Burger, S.S.C. Reverend Bill Trader, O. Praem. on Tuesday, December 23, 2025.
In Sister Janice Marie’s memory, a memorial donation may be sent to:
Camilla Hall Nursing Home
IHM Mission Advancement Office
230 IHM Drive
Malvern, PA 19355