Obituary of Sr. Mary Jane Timmermans

Sister Mary Jane Timmermans, (91), formerly Sister Alice Joseph, a Sister of Charity of Saint Elizabeth, died April 29, 2026. She resided at McAuley Hall Health Care Center in Watchung, New Jersey and after a brief hospitalization she died at Overlook Hospital.

Sister Mary Jane was born in Hartford, Connecticut, the daughter of Harold and Mary Lillian (Sullivan) Timmermans. She entered the Sisters of Charity on September 6, 1953 and was a faithful member for 72 years. She lived her vocation not only with fidelity, but with a quiet joy that touched generations. Her life reflected God's love in action.

Sister Mary Jane graduated from the College (University) of Saint Elizabeth, Convent Station, New Jersey with a B.S. degree in Elementary Education and from Seton Hall University, South Orange, New Jersey with a M.A. degree in Education and a Certificate in Student Personnel Services. Sister Mary Jane used her training and nurturing disposition to make her classroom a place of learning and belonging, where each child was seen, encouraged, and called to become their very best self. Sister Mary Jane taught in New Jersey, Florida and Connecticut. She served as a teacher for a total of forty-eight years at the following schools: St. Mary School, Dumont, New Jersey; St. Francis of Assisi School, Riviera Beach, Florida; St. Mary’s School, Nutley, New Jersey; St. Mary School, Waterbury, Connecticut; St. Peter School, Belleville, New Jersey and St. Thomas the Apostle School, Bloomfield, New Jersey. She was known as a superb teacher.

In addition to her regular teaching, Sister Mary Jane spent many summers in Princess Anne, Maryland with other Sisters of Charity working with students who needed extra help. The children always returned to school in September much better prepared for the school year. Principals frequently asked if Sister Mary Jane could relocate to Maryland to stay and work her miracles. Where others might have seen difficulty, she saw promise.

The Archdiocese of Newark awarded Sister Mary Jane the Teacher Recognition Award as an Outstanding Catholic School Educator in 1992. She also received the “Project Sharing” Grand Prize for the 1993/1994 school year from Today’s Catholic Teacher Magazine for an article entitled “An Exchange Student Project”. The countless students who passed through her classrooms over the years may not recall every lesson, but they will remember how she made them feel ~ valued, capable, and deeply loved. That is a legacy no time can erase.

After retiring as a teacher, Sister Mary Jane became a Chaplain at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center, Paterson, New Jersey for fifteen years. Once again she used her faith, experience and love to assist those in the St. Joseph Hospital Maternity Department. Her faith was not something she spoke of only in words, but something she carried in everything she did. Sister’s life reflected God's love in action. It guided her and brought her peace. Even in difficult moments, she trusted deeply, and her trust became a source of comfort to all who were in her presence. 

Beyond her vocation, she was also a devoted and loving member of her family. She cared; she listened and loved without condition. She had a loving way of making each person feel seen, valued, and held in her heart. Her life was one of purpose, grace, and a quiet strength to those she loved and which she gave so freely. Her presence will continue to live on in her family, friends, former students and fellow Sisters.

Sister Mary Jane is survived by the Sisters of Charity; her nieces, Joadi, Tracey, and Cynthia (Daniel) Hadden; grandnieces, Kierney Gaboriault, Tracey Deptula, Kaylan Sweet, and Ashley Sanzo. Sister has eight great grand nieces and nephews. She is predeceased by her parents; her brothers, Harry (Betty) and Johnny, and sisters Elizabeth Tracey and Caroline Timmermans.

The wake for Sister Mary Jane Timmermans will be held Wednesday, May 6, 2026 from 9:30 AM-11:00 AM. The Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 11:00 AM with burial in Holy Family Cemetery following the Mass. The Mass will be livestreamed. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of S. J. Priola Funeral Services, Lake Hiawatha, New Jersey.

In lieu of flowers, contributions to the Sisters of Charity Office of Legacy and Mission, P.O. Box 476, Convent Station, New Jersey, 07961-0476 would be appreciated.