Sister Jeanne Hegarty, OSB papers

Sister Jeanne Hegarty, OSB was born Jean Ann in Nortonville, Kansas on October 13th, 1926. In addition to Jean, her parents, Carl and Helen Didde Hegarty, had 3 other children. After Helen Hegarty was diagnosed with tuberculosis, and her family lost the family farm during the Great Depression, Jean and her siblings were placed in St. Vincent Orphanage in Leavenworth, Kansas. When her mother eventually recovered, the family was reunited and relocated to Canon City, Colorado, where Jean enrolled at St. Scholastica Academy. Sister entered the community on September 15th, 1943, recieving the name Sister Mary Charles in honor of her father. She made her final vows on August 16th, 1948.

Sister earned a PhB from DePaul University in Chicago, and a Master's in Pastoral Ministry from St. Paul University in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. She served as a teacher in various parochial schools in Illinois, such as Queen of All Saints and St. Hilary's. In Colorado, she taught at St. Mary School in Pueblo and Saint Scholastica Academy in Canon City, as well as serving in summer vacation schools. In community, Sister served as a Novice Directress from 1962-1967, as well as in public relations and the Development Office.

After earning her Master's, Sister Jeanne worked as a Pastoral Minister in St. Mary's Parish of Pueblo, Colorado, primarily aiding the sick and elderly. Over the course of her extensive ministry and career, Sister became a certified Chaplain and Pastoral Associate, conducted numerous workshops, taught classes to caregivers on death and dying, and supervised a program for Adult Day Services at St. Thomas More Hospital. She was also a prolific writer, publishing numerous articles, a history of the Benedictines in Colorado, and a family history.

Sister died on November 19th, 2009 at the age of 83, and is buried in All Saints Cemetery in Illinois.