Mccullough, Sister Jane RSM
ALBANY — Sister Jane Mccullough RSM, (formerly Sister Mary Robertine) died Sunday, October 28, 2018, in St. Peter’s Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Albany. She had been a Sister of Mercy for 67 years. Born in Albany, she was the daughter of the late Robert F. Mccullough and Susan Mcleer Mccullough. Sister Jane earned a bachelor’s degree from the College of St. Rose, Albany, and masters’ degrees from New York University and St. Joseph’s, West Hartford, Conn. She taught at various schools in the Diocese, including St. Joseph’s, and Vincentian Institute, Albany; Catholic Central High School, Troy and Maria College, Albany, where she also served as the Director of Admissions. She was a beloved teacher and principal at Blessed Sacrament School in Albany.
Sister Jane loved life, had a delightful sense of humor, and was deeply committed to ministry. She served the church at Our Lady of Victory Parish in Troy as a pastoral minister. She particularly enjoyed facilitating scripture groups and visiting the homebound and hospitalized; they in turn welcomed her visits. A gentle and deeply prayerful woman, Sister Jane was well suited to the position of director of postulants. She nurtured the vocation of young Sisters both by example and by offering non-judgmental support and guidance. She was never too busy to listen; if asked for advice, she offered it freely and honestly but never forced it on others.
Her ministries were varied, reflecting the diversity of her gifts and her willingness to respond wherever she was called. She shared those gifts as retreat director at Our Lady of Peace Spiritual Life Center, Narragansett, R. I., and as chaplain at Our Lady of Mercy Life Center, Albany. She served as a member of the Executive Council of the Sisters of Mercy as well as Motherhouse coordinator, freely dispensing Mercy hospitality. Sister Jane treasured her family and enjoyed a special relationship with her twin brother, Ed. When she experienced the early signs of Alzheimer’s, Sister Jane accepted diminishment with her usual dignity and grace.
In addition to her parents, Sister Jane was predeceased by her brother, Robert; and her twin brother Edward. She is survived by her sister-in-law, Marcia Mccullough (late Edward); her niece, Colleen Connelly; nephews, Daniel, Paul, Michael and Christopher; several grandnieces; and grandnephews; and by her religious community, the Sisters of Mercy.
Viewing hours will be from 4– 8 p.m. Tuesday, October 30, in the Chapel of the Convent of Mercy, 634 New Scotland Avenue, Albany. Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Prayer Service of Remembrance in the Chapel at 7 p.m. The Liturgy of Christian Death and Burial will be celebrated at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, October 31, at the Convent of Mercy. Interment will follow in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, East Greenbush.
The Sisters of Mercy are grateful to the staff of St. Peter’s Nursing and Rehabilitation Center for the great tenderness with which they cared for our Sister. Contributions may be made in Sister Jane’s memory to