Jane Ann was born in Indiana in January 1931 to Ethel and Clarence Comerford. The youngest of seven children, she grew up on a farm in Bunker Hill. St. Charles in Peru was her home parish, and she attended St. Joseph Academy in Tipton.
In 1947, Jane Ann entered the Congregation of St. Joseph in Tipton. Through the years she received a BA in education from Marymount College, an MA in theology from Notre Dame University, and an MA in pastoral counseling from Butler University.
For 30 years, Jane Ann served in many parishes throughout the Diocese of Lafayette, Indiana. She was a primary school teacher from 1950-1965 in the following schools: St. Peter, St. Joseph, St. Paul, St. Joan of Arc, St. John and St. Bernard. From 1967-1970, Jane Ann was asked by her community in Tipton to serve as Director of Novices.
In the late 1970s, she was Campus Minister at Ball State University in Muncie and became Associate Director of Religious Education in the Lafayette Diocese. She also ministered as Director of Religious Education at Grissom Air Force Base in Bunker Hill and at Our Lady of Grace Parish in Noblesville. Jane Ann then served as a member of the Leadership Team in Tipton from 1978 to 1982.
From 1982 to 2013, Jane Ann ministered in Louisville, Kentucky as a pastoral counselor and marriage and family therapist at Methodist Episcopal Hospital, Norton Healthcare and in private practice. For 30 years, she was a member of St. William Church in Louisville, a parish where, in the Spirit of Vatican II, members committed to live justice, peace, and compassion – the heart of Jesus’ message. Jane Ann ministered with the community and celebrated specially planned Sunday liturgies. Studying the New Cosmology and Buddhism at the Earth and Spirit Center in Louisville and learning the practice of Buddhist meditation were very important to her.
After the Tipton center closed in 2013, Jane Ann chose to join the Cleveland Center in Ohio. She remained deeply grateful for the warmth and kindness extended towards her by everyone at the Cleveland Center. In Cleveland she volunteered weekly at Hospice of the Western Reserve with respite care, and at Providence House and Rainbow Babies’ and Children’s Hospital with infant care, where she cuddled babies who had no family members with them. She enjoyed traveling throughout her life and collecting pottery from local artisans in the different towns where she lived and visited.
Loving God, we are thankful for the life of our Sister Jane Ann, and we rejoice as she enters into the fullness of Your love.
Jane Ann is preceded in death by her parents and siblings; Richard Comerford, John Comerford, William Comerford, Paul Comerford, Mary Comerford, and Kathryn Comerford Cain.
A service honoring Jane Ann’s life will be held at a later date.
Arrangements have been entrusted to McGorray – Hanna Funeral Home. Local arrangements have been entrusted to Flowers-Leedy Funeral Home. Family and friends may sign the online guestbook at www.FlowersLeedyAllen.com.
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