Sr. Janet M Finley, OSF

BORN:                    Janet Maybelle Finley, March 5, 1934, Moline, IL

DIED:                      December 4, 2023, at St. Elizabeth Motherhouse, Allegany, NY

DAUGHTER OF:     Wilfred and Eleanor Brubaker Finley, Miami, FL

Sr. Janet Finley entered the Franciscan Sisters of Allegany on August 22, 1955; was received into the Congregation on August 15, 1956 and professed her final vows on August 16, 1963.  Committed to Franciscan charism, Sister lived for 68 years as a devoted member of the Allegany Franciscan Sisters sharing her life in community and ministry.

Janet attended elementary and middle school in Oak Park and Chicago, IL graduating from Corpus Christi Senior High School in Miami, FL.  She attended St. Elizabeth Teachers College, Allegany, NY; Barry University, Miami Shores, FL and Villa Maria, Buffalo, NY, graduating from St. Bonaventure University with a Bachelor of Science in Education with a minor in History.  Her graduate studies included attendance at the University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL; Our Lady of the Elms, Chicopee, MA and Boston College, Boston, MA where she graduated with a Master of Arts Degree in Education and Administration.

Many years of Janet’s ministry were spent educating students in Congregational Schools in Florida and Georgia.  She served as Principal in Lakeland, St. Petersburg and Lake Worth, FL; and was Superior at St. Joseph’s Convent, Lakeland, FL.  Following her career in education, Sr. Janet was a Pastoral Assistant at St. Luke’s Parish in Lake Worth, FL.

Sr. Janet retired in 2013 and resided at St. Elizabeth Convent, Tampa until 2020 when she was warmly welcomed home to St. Elizabeth Motherhouse, Allegany, NY.

She is predeceased by her parents, Wilfred and Eleanor Brubaker Finley, sister; Sharon Finley Kush and cousins: Sr. Teresa Reinken, a Daughter of Charity and Sr. Suzanne, a Sister of the Blessed Virgin Mary. 

Sr. Janet is survived by a sister, Joyce Finley Ostendorf and brother, Edward Finley and several nieces and grand nieces and nephews.

A wake service is scheduled for Friday, December 8^th at 4:00PM in the chapel at St. Elizabeth Motherhouse. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, December 9^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.