Jane Farrell, IHM

Sister Jane Farrell, IHM

MONROE, Mich. – Sister Jane Farrell, IHM, died March 29, 2021, at IHM Senior Living Community. She was 91 years old.  

Jane Kathryn Farrell was born in Detroit on April 30, 1929 to Frederick and Margaret (McLogan) Farrell. Early education began at Gesu (Detroit) and Immaculata High School, from which she graduated in 1947. She earned a bachelor’s degree from Marygrove College and a master’s degree in education from the University of Detroit before entering the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Monroe in 1953. She received the religious name, Sister John Fisher.  

Her first years in education ministry took her to St. Joseph, Monroe; St. Joseph, Dexter; St. Raymond, Detroit; St. Mary (Mt. Morris) and five years at Immaculata High School (Detroit), a time she recalled as a favorite ministry.

After completing graduate studies (all but dissertation) at the University of Michigan, Sister Jane entered administration at the collegiate level as Dean of Women, while teaching in history at Marygrove College; and as Assistant Professor of History, Chair of Social Sciences and Humanities, and in administration at Sienna Heights College (Adrian, Mich.). There, she formed friendships that endured her whole life. In 1976, she briefly served as assistant to the president at St. Edward’s University (Austin, Texas).

In 1977, Sister Jane was named principal of the IHM-sponsored, Immaculate Heart of Mary High School in Westchester, Ill., serving for more than 10 years. She then moved into a teaching position for 10 years at Mother McAuley High School (Westchester). A time of sabbatical came in 1998 when she returned to Monroe, where she served her community as Archivist.

Sister Jane returned to live in the Westchester for the next eight years. In 2009 she retired to the IHM Motherhouse and remained involved in community events and re-establishing many friendships. Only recently did she move into the health care center after many years of independent living. That was her spirit!

Sister Jane is survived by cousins and her sisters in community. She was preceded in death by brother, Richard, and sister, Margaret Ann Farrell, IHM.

Because of COVID-19 restrictions, services will be private at the IHM Motherhouse Chapel on Wednesday, March 31. The Remembering and Mass of Christian Burial will be Livestreamed beginning at 9:30 a.m. at https://bit.ly/2P8BzEl and may be viewed until April 21. Arrangements are under the direction of the Rupp Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to the IHM Retirement Fund, 610 W. Elm Ave., Monroe, MI 48162-7909.