HONG KONG (SE): Maryknoll Sister Jeanne Houlihan passed away on Tuesday, March 26, at the Maryknoll Sisters Centre in Maryknoll, New York. She was 93 years old and had been a Maryknoll Sister for 72 years.
Born in St. Louis, Missouri, the US, on 11 February 1931, she joined Maryknoll on 2 September 1952. After earning a Bachelor of Science Degree in Dietetics from Fontbonne College in St. Louis, she made her first profession on 7 March 1955, and professed her final vows on 7 March 1961, in Hong Kong.
In 1955, Sister Houlihan was assigned to Hong Kong, where she dedicated over 40 years of her life to pastoral and educational work. After studying the Chinese language at the University of Hong Kong, she taught religion and home economics at the secondary section of Maryknoll Convent School. She earned a Masters of Education in Administration in 1972 from St. Louis University.
She was principal of Maryknoll Convent School from 1972 to 1986, supervisor of the secondary section from 1987 to 1991, and supervisor of the primary section from 1988 to 1991.
She also taught Teaching Methodology at Chinese University in the 1980s, and when her responsibilities lessened at the school, Jeanne volunteered her time at Ma Tau Wai remand home for girls.
In 1991, Sister Houlihan returned to the Maryknoll Sisters Centre for Congregational Services where she was asked to use the administration skills she had honed in Hong Kong as development director of the Development Department.
In 2002, she returned to Hong Kong once again, teaching English at the Maryknoll Convent School for another nine years and was supervisor of the secondary section until 2011. She also taught part time at Chinese University.
Sister Houlihan was also a founding sister and board member of the Maryknoll Convent School Foundation [MCS Foundation]. She would later continue as an advisor for life
The foundation, of which she was the first chairperson, was established in 2004 to ensure the continuity of quality education and the Maryknoll culture into the future.
Sister Houlihan also served on the Hong Kong Catholic Board of Education from 2005 to 2007.
In 2011, she returned to the Maryknoll Sisters Centre to semi-retire, volunteering in the Development Department until her full retirement in 2022.
Sister Houlihan was assigned to the Maryknoll Sisters Home Care Unit, until her passing.
The MCS Foundation will hold a memorial Mass for her on Saturday, April 27, from 9:45 to 11:00 am at St. Teresa’s Church, 258 Prince Edward Road West, Kowloon.
The Maryknoll Sisters request prayers for her eternal repose.
May she rest in peace.
