Age 83
Sister Janet (formerly known as Sister Marie Thaddeus) attended Catholic schools in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and graduated from West Catholic High School for Girls in 1956.
Her history of ministry included many successful years in elementary and secondary education. She taught in various high schools in the archdiocese of Philadelphia: Archbishop Prendergast, Archbishop Ryan, Bishop Conwell and Bishop McDevitt High School. She was loved and much appreciated by students and faculty alike.
In 1985, Sister Janet completed a Ph.D. in education administration-higher education and went from being a teacher at Gwynedd Mercy College to an administrator and director of planning.
Her ministry expanded to include consultant to religious communities, schools and, for many years, assistant director of the archdiocesan synod in Philadelphia.
Through her association with Dr. Check, a local dentist and friend, Sister Janet accompanied him when he traveled to Jamaica to perform procedures. It was there she met Sister Susan Frazer and for years worked with her doing administrative and consulting work with educational institutions in Jamaica. Closer to home, Sister Janet worked with Sister Christine Kavanagh as a facilitator, conference leader and consultant for Refocus in Providence, Rhode Island. These partnerships and friendships stretched over 30 years.
Sister Janet was well known and loved in her parish, Mary Mother of the Redeemer, where she generously shared her gifts by conducting sessions on spirituality and communication. Sister Janet spread her love of God and the charism of Mercy to all she met. Her two sisters, June and Ann, were the special recipients of her love and care. She was committed deeply to her sisters and to her extended family.