Born: Jean Ann Hayes, July 8, 1941, in Lackawanna, NY
Died: March 3, 2023, at St. Elizabeth Motherhouse, Allegany, NY
Daughter of: John and Margaret Jacobsen Hayes, Lackawanna, NY
Jean entered the Franciscan Sisters of Allegany on September 8, 1959; was received into the Congregation on July 2, 1960 and professed her final vows on July 2, 1967. For 64 years, Sister lived her commitment to Franciscan values through her ministry and life in community.
Sr. Jean attended Our Lady of Perpetual Help Grammar School and Bishop Quigley High School, in Buffalo, NY, graduating in 1959. Jean attended St. Elizabeth’s Teachers College, graduating from St. Bonaventure University with a Bachelor of Science in Education and a Masters in Education/Reading with a Minor in Speech.
Her ministry in education enabled her to teach in Congregational Schools in New York – including St. John’s in Olean, NY; also in Virginia, New Jersey and Connecticut. Sr. Jean was principal at Our Lady of Victory, Allegany, NY and St. Cecelia, Pennsauken, NJ. Jean was Local Minister at Blessed Sacrament Convent, Waterbury, CT.
In 2008, Sr. Jean returned to Allegany, NY, living and serving as Local Minister at St. Elizabeth Motherhouse. It was during her tenure and with her guidance, the renovations to the Motherhouse were completed. At the completion of her term as Local Minister in 2016, Sr. Jean volunteered at the switchboard until her retirement in 2022.
She is predeceased by her parents, John and Margaret Jacobsen Hayes and a brother, John Joseph Hayes, Jr. She is survived by one brother, Dennis Hayes and a sister, Mary Kreuzek.
A wake service is scheduled for Thursday, March 9, 2023 at 4:00PM in the chapel of St. Elizabeth Motherhouse. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, March 10, 2023, at 10:00AM in the chapel of St. Elizabeth Motherhouse. Burial will follow in Holy Cross Cemetery, Lackawanna, NY.
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.