Sister Jane Frances Rearden (Formerly Sister Marie Dorothy) died in Camilla Hall on January 19, 2023, in the 65th year of her religious life.
Jane was born on August 3, 1934. Her parents Anthony and Agnes (Vogel) Rearden were born and raised in Reading, PA where they raised their family. Jane attended St. Margaret Elementary (1940-1948) and Central Catholic High School (1948-1952) in Reading. Later while Sister was in the Community, she earned degrees from Immaculata College (A.B. Math) and Villanova University (MATM-Masters in Teaching of Math).
Jane entered the Community on September 8, 1955; received her habit and her religious name, Sister Marie Dorothy, on March 8, 1956; and pronounced her First Vows on August 15, 1962. When the Community offered the opportunity, Sister returned to the use of her baptismal name Sister M. Jane Frances Rearden, IHM.
Sister Jane’s teaching ministry extended from the school year beginning 1957 through the school year ending in 2004. During this time, Sister touched myriads of children, parents, parishioners, and her own IHM Sisters.
For forty-seven years, Sister served children primarily in Philadelphia: Immaculate Conception; St. Barnabas; Holy Innocents; St. Joachim; St. Dominic; St. Matthew; St. Madeline, Ridley Park; St. Paul, Stone Harbor; Holy Trinity, Morrisville, NJ; St. Matthew, Forestville, CT.
Sister culminated her teaching ministry at St. Aloysius Academy in Bryn Mawr. Sister taught Honors Math from August 1991 through June 2004. In the fall of 2004, Sister Jane then served as the Academy’s Development Director until August 2015.
After her long and fruitful ministry of faithful service, Sister joined the Apostolate of Prayer and Assistance team at our convent home at Camilla Hall in 2015.
In addition to her IHM Community, her Local Community at Camilla Hall, her loving brother John J. Rearden Sr., and her many nieces, nephews, grandnieces, and grandnephews survive Sister Jane.
Sister Jane’s parents Anthony. B. Rearden and Agnes L. (Vogel) Rearden, her brothers, Paul B. Rearden (Ann), Anthony B. Rearden (Ethel), Mary A. Teson (Joseph), Anna M. Casey (Dan), and her sister in-law Phyllis predecease Sister Jane.
Reverend John Burger, S.S.C. celebrated Sister Jane’s Funeral Mass on Wednesday, January 25, 2023, at 10:30 a.m. Rev. Stephen Paolino and Rev. Thomas O’Donald concelebrated.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to:
Camilla Hall Nursing Home
IHM Mission Advancement Office
230 IHM Drive
Malvern, PA 19355