Sister Jeanne McKenna
September 3, 1932 ~ May 8, 2024
Sister Jeanne McKenna died May 8, 2024, at Nazareth Motherhouse in Concordia, KS. She was 91 years old and a Sister of St. Joseph for 64 years. She was born in Kingman, KS on September 3, 1932, to Peter and Catherine Heatherman McKenna, the last of ten children, and was baptized Eileen Jeanne. She entered the Sisters of St. Joseph, Concordia, KS on September 8, 1959. On March 19, 1960, she received the habit of the Sisters of St. Joseph and was given the name Sister Mary Berard, later changing back to her baptismal name. She pronounced first vows on March 19, 1961 and final vows on March 19, 1964.
Sister Jeanne received a BA in History from Marymount College, Salina, KS in 1954, followed by a PhD from St. Louis University in history in 1968. She taught in schools for 21 years in Salina, Emporia, Topeka, KS; Kansas City, MO and Grand Island, NE. She also served in Gov. Carlin’s Office from 1978-1980 and later worked as a fiscal division director for the Kansas State Treasurer’s Office and for the Kansas Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services. She retired to Nazareth Motherhouse in 2015.
Sister Jeanne was preceded in death by her parents and her siblings. A Bible Vigil Service will be held May 14 at 9:30 a.m. in the Nazareth Motherhouse Chapel with Sister Marilyn Wall as the eulogist. The Mass of Christian Burial will be May 14 at 10:30 a.m. in the Motherhouse Chapel, Father Barry Brinkman presiding. The burial will be in the Nazareth Motherhouse Cemetery. Chaput-Buoy Mortuary, 325 W. 6th St., Concordia, KS is in charge of arrangements. Memorials for Sister Jeanne McKenna may be given to the Sisters of St. Joseph Health Care/Retirement Fund or the Apostolic Works of the Sisters; P.O Box 279, Concordia, KS 66901. For online condolences, please visit www.chaputbuoy.com.
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