Sr. James Christopher Keady, OSF

BORN:                       Mary Ann Keady on January 24, 1927, in Norwood, Massachusetts

DIED:                         October 21, 2023, at St. Elizabeth Motherhouse, Allegany, NY.

DAUGHTER OF:      James and Mary Connolly Keady, Norwood, Massachusetts

Sr. James Christopher entered the Franciscan Sisters of Allegany on September 8, 1945, was received into the Congregation on August 15, 1946, and professed her final vows on August 16, 1953. Committed to the Franciscan charism, Sister lived for 78 years as a devoted member of the Allegany Franciscan Sisters sharing her life in community and ministry.

James Christopher attended St. Catherine’s Grammar/Middle School and graduated from Norwood High School, all located in Norwood, MA. She attended St. Elizabeth Teacher’s College, Allegany, NY graduating with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education and pursued graduate studies at Cortland State University, Cortland, NY and D’Youville College, Buffalo, NY, graduating with a Master of Science Degree in Elementary Education with Minors in Reading and Social Studies.

Sr. James Christopher’s ministry in education includes teaching in Congregational Schools, in New York, Florida, North Carolina, Connecticut, New Jersey and Massachusetts. In addition to her years teaching, she also spent 15 years as a librarian in West Islip, NY. Upon completing her service in education, James Christopher worked in St. Anthony’s Convent and at the Parish, in New York, New York, before officially retiring in 1999. She was warmly welcomed home to St. Elizabeth Motherhouse in 2003, where her beautiful smile and hearty laugh warmed the hearts of many around her.

She is predeceased by her parents, James and Mary Connolly Keady, a brother, James Keady, and his wife Jean; three cousins: Sr. Mary Ellen Keady, OSF and Sr. M. Concilia Flaherty, OSF, both Franciscan Sisters of Allegany and Sr. Maurella Keady, a Sister of St. Joseph.

She is survived by her nephew, James Keady, niece, Mary Fanning and special friends, caretakers and others who have been touched by her loving heart.

A wake service is scheduled for Wednesday, October 25^th at 4:00PM in the chapel at St. Elizabeth Motherhouse. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, October 26^th, at 10:00AM in the chapel at St. Elizabeth Motherhouse. Burial will follow in St. Bonaventure Cemetery.

Arrangements are under the direction of Letro-McIntosh-Spink Funeral Home, Inc. 646 East State Street, Olean, New York. For condolences, please visit www.letromcintoshspinkfuneralhome.com.