Maryknoll, NY: Sister Jean Marie Maloney died on November 28, 2024 at the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY. She was 94 years old and a Maryknoll Sister for 74 years.

On January 16, 1930, Jean Marie Maloney was born in Syracuse, NY to Elizabeth David Maloney and Michael Maloney.  She had a twin sister, Joan, who predeceased her; her nieces, Elizabeth Regulbuto and Jean Getsy, survive her.

From 1943-1947 Sister Jean attended Cathedral Academy High School in Syracuse, NY.   She earned her R.N. at St. Joseph’s School of Nursing, Syracuse, NY in 1950.  She entered the Maryknoll Sisters at Maryknoll, NY on September 6, 1950 from her parish Cathedral, Syracuse, NY.  She pronounced her First Profession of Vows on March 7, 1953 in Maryknoll, NY and her Final Vows on March 7, 1959 in Pusan, Korea.

In 1953, she received her first mission assignment to Pusan, Korea, nine weeks after the beginning of the Korean War.  Ministering to the thousands of refugees, sick and homeless, during the three years of war. In 1956, she started a new clinic in Cheong Pyeong in the rural center of the country.  In 1966, she continued her nursing ministry in a second clinic begun on the historical island of Kang Hwa.  In addition to her nursing activities, Jean was active in the pastoral ministries of teaching religious education, the Legion of Mary & the JOC (Young Christian workers).

By 1973 in Korea, amid its own Industrial Revolution, working conditions were unsafe and abusive. To respond to this need, Jean and Sister Mary Lou Herlihy joined a group of women factory workers who wished to live in community and devote their lives to God in the Labor Ministry.

In 1976, Sr. Jean came home to New York and was asked to serve on the Congregational Orientation Team until 1979.

Returning to Korea in 1980, Jean served on various committees working for Justice and Peace.  This led her to become aware of the life of women in the sex industry and the establishment of Magdalena House, a shelter for women trying to move out of the life.  Jean continued in this work for seventeen years.   She then completed her bachelor’s degree from Maryland University (1997) and her Masters in Creation Spirituality at Naropa University in Oakland, California (1999).

On June 18, 1994, Jean Maloney received a “Gratitude Plaque “from the Ministry of Health and Social Affairs in Korea. The plaque noted that “since Sr. Jean Maloney arrived in Korea in 1954, she has given comfort and courage for life to the poor and alienated people for 40 years, especially giving service with devotion and self-sacrifice to unfortunate women,”

In 2007, Sr. Jean again served on the Congregational Orientation Team until 2009.

Returning to the Center and transferring to the Chi Rho community in 2022, she wrote:

“Mission is a total way of Life.  Wherever I am is Mission.  It is my life, my love, to show forth God’s love and care for all”.

Needing increased support, Jean transferred to the Eden Community in 2023.

Funeral Services:

A Vespers Service will be held for Sister Jean Maloney on Monday, December 9, 2024 at 4:15 p.m. in the Chapel of the Annunciation at the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY.

 A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, December 10, 2024 at 10:00 A.M. at the Maryknoll Sisters Center.