Sister M. Janice Shaw, IHM, formerly Sister M. William Thomas, died very suddenly in South Miami Hospital on May 1, 2022. Sister Janice was in the 57th year of her religious life.
Our beloved Sister M. Janice Shaw (Sister William Thomas) was professed on June 28, 1967. She was currently missioned at Lourdes-Epiphany Convent and taught at Lourdes High School in Miami, Florida.
Our prayers and sympathy go out to her family, friends, Profession Band, IHM Congregation, and her Local Community, Students and Co-Workers.
-Lourdes High School, Miami, Florida
Janice was born on October 5, 1946 in Philadelphia. Sister’s parents William T. and Mary E. (McCann) Shaw raised their family of five in our Lady of Good Counsel Parish in Southampton. Janice attended St. Helena and Our Lady of Good Counsel Elementary Schools (1952-1960) and Bishop McDevitt High School in Wyncote (1960-1964). Later, while in the Community, Sister earned degrees from Immaculata College – A.B. Theology, and B.S. Home Economics, and from Villanova University M.S. Secondary School Science.
Janice entered the Community on September 8, 1964; she received her habit and her religious name, Sister M. William Thomas, on June 28, 1965. Sister pronounced her First Vows on June 28, 1967.
From the fall of 1967 through the school year ending 1984, Sister served students and families in St. Joseph Hatboro, Villa Maria Academy Green Tree, Holy Family Harrisburg, and Holy Name Philadelphia. During the course of this ministry, Sister taught grades 1, 6, 7, and 8.
In the fall of 1984 through August 1990, Sister Janice served as Superior and Principal of Sacred Heart School in South Philadelphia. Sister then ministered as Principal at St. Patrick in York until 1993.
From the fall of 1993 through the time of her sudden death, Sister served as a Secondary School instructor. Sister taught Math at Lourdes High School in Shamokin from 1993-1997, Physical Science/Physics at West Catholic High School from 1997-2012.
In the fall of 2012, Sister engaged in a very different educational endeavor. Sister became part of the educational team of Cristo Rey High School in Philadelphia where she taught students the complexities of Physics. As advertised:
Cristo Rey Philadelphia High School is a college preparatory, Catholic school for students of all faiths. We [Cristo Rey] are a new model of private high school that opened in 2012 because of a unique partnership of local educators, businesses and universities. A Cristo Rey student receives a top quality education and professional work experience, at an affordable cost, through the innovative Work-Study Program.
Sister worked with the students full time in and out of the classroom until 2015. Sister then served in the capacity of a most valued Administrative Assistant until the school year ending 2021. Sister expressed great gratitude for the opportunity to be a part of the Cristo Rey Community.
In the fall of 2021, Sister Janice joyfully received an assignment to teach full time at Epiphany-Lourdes High School in Miami, Florida. Sister considered herself blessed indeed for yet another wonderful opportunity. Sister served faithfully until she drew her final breath on May 1, 2022. God rest her beautiful soul.
Her loving community at Lourdes-Epiphany Convent, Our Lady of Lourdes Academy High School, our Community at large, her sisters Lois Shaw Tucci (Bill), Marie Shaw DiFurio (Curt), her brothers William (Patty), and Thomas (Mary), her nieces, nephews and many grandnieces and grandnephews survive Sister. Her parents William T. and Mary E. (McCann) Shaw predecease Sister.
Right Reverend Richard J. Antonucci, O.Praem celebrated Sister’s Funeral Mass on Wednesday, May 11, 2022 at 10:30 a.m. Reverend Robert Mancini, OSFS, and Reverend John Burger, SSC concelebrated with Father Antonucci.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to:
Camilla Hall Nursing Home
IHM Mission Advancement Office
230 IHM Drive
Malvern, PA 19355