Sister Mary Jeanne Kennedy, a longtime educator in the Diocese of Buffalo, died Nov. 16, 2019, in Fredonia Place of Williamsville Health Care Center. She was 85.

A native of Buffalo, Patricia Kennedy was born on March 21, 1934, and entered the Sisters of St. Francis on Aug. 15, 1952, taking the name Sister Mary Jeanne.

In 1963, Sister Jeanne graduated from Mount St. Joseph's Teachers College with a bachelor's degree in Education. In 1972, she received a master's degree in Education from Canisius College, Buffalo.

Dedicating her life to a teaching ministry, Sister spent over 30 years in schools in the Diocese of Buffalo including: St. Christopher, Tonawanda; Holy Name, St. James and St. Agnes, Buffalo; Annunciation, Elma; St. Leo the Great, Amherst; and St. Aloysius, Springville.

In 1967, she was named principal of the school and convent superior at Our Lady of Pompeii Parish, Lancaster. She also served as principal at St. Mary's Elementary School, Lancaster, for several years. Her last teaching assignment was at Fourteen Holy Helpers, West Seneca.

Sister Jeanne came to St. Mary of the Angels Convent in Williamsville in the fall of 1986 and devoted her remaining years to community service. Most recently, Sister Jeanne has served in prayer ministry and Franciscan presence at 201 Reist St.

Sister Jeanne donated her body to the University at Buffalo Anatomical Gift Program.

A Memorial Mass will be offered at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 11, in the St. Mary of the Angels Chapel at Fredonia Place of Williamsville.