In Loving Memory

             Sister Jeanne Stegmann, SUSC
                    (Sr. Catherine Gerard)
         September 15, 1934 – December 27, 2020
Sister Jeanne Stegmann (Sr. Catherine Gerard) SUSC died December 27 at Catholic Memorial Home, Fall River, MA. Born in New York City on September 15, 1934, she was the daughter of the late Herman and Catherine (McMenamin) Stegmann. In addition to her Holy Union Sisters, her nieces Jeanne Besanty, Nancy Dodd, Diane Stegmann and nephew Paul and his wife Laura, grandnephews and her dear friend, Sr. Mary Bridget McGettigan survive her.
She was predeceased by her brother Robert and sister-in-law Marian Stegmann. Sr. Jeanne entered the Holy Union Sisters on August 22, 1952 and pronounced her final vows August 22, 1961. She was a graduate of the Holy Union Preparatory School, studied at Providence Catholic Teachers College and received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Education from the College of the Sacred Hearts. She received a Master of Science Degree in Education from Manhattan College, New York.
Sr. Jeanne ministered in education for over 40 years. She taught junior high classes in parish schools staffed by the Holy Union Sisters in Maryland, Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey and Rhode Island. She served as principal at Immaculate Conception School in Astoria New York, the grammar school which she had attended, for twenty-three years. Sr. Jeanne retired in 2002 but continued to be active in parish events.
Her long tenure as principal of Immaculate Conception School earned her the respect and admiration of parents, students and teachers. In a performance review from the Brooklyn Diocesan Education Office, she was described by both teachers and parents as “energetic, tireless, a caring, concerned individual, a wonderful model of Christian leadership.”
Sr. Jeanne always remained close to her nieces and nephews who fondly referred to her as “A.J.” After the deaths of her brother and sister-in-law, “A.J.” was a strong support to their children, gathering them together at holidays and family celebrations.In her Holy Union community, Sr. Jeanne was a member of the provincial council and served on several province committees. She was always a gracious and welcoming host at many province meetings held in the large Immaculate Conception Convent. When the Holy Union Sisters left Immaculate Conception Parish in 2017, Sr. Jeanne’s declining health necessitated a move to Catholic Memorial Home, Fall River where she resided until her death.The Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated January 2, 2021 at Holy Name Church, 709 Hanover Street, Fall River. Burial at St. Patrick’s Cemetery, Fall River followed. Donations in Sr. Jeanne’s memory may be made to the Holy Union Sisters Mission Advancement Office, P.O. Box 410, Milton, MA 02186.

Jeanne died peacefully on the Feast of the Holy Family,
a day most fitting for a woman who throughout her life
was so caring of her own family.
She could pray with the words of Simeon in the temple:
“Now may your servant go in peace,
for my eyes have seen your salvation.”