Mary Jane Rhodes, SCN, 93, formerly Sister Joseph Francis, was born in Akron, Ohio, on Nov. 16, 1930, to Mary Anne and Joseph Lancaster Rhodes Sr. She died on Sept. 10, 2024, in Nazareth, Ky. She was a professed Sister of Charity of Nazareth for 73 years.

Sister Mary Jane was born an identical twin to Catholic parents from farm families in Kentucky and Indiana during the Depression era. In 1935, the family returned to St. Columba’s West End Parish in Louisville, Ky., where her maternal grandparents and aunts resided. They later moved to Shively. Sister Mary Jane graduated from Presentation Academy, where she enjoyed academics and sports.

She joined the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth after graduation and made her profession on March 25, 1951. Her twin sister, the late Anna Marie Rhodes, SCN, also entered the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth.

Sister Mary Jane earned a bachelor’s degree in math from Catholic University in Washington, D.C., in 1965. She later earned a master’s degree in religious education from La Salle College in Philadelphia.

For many years, Sister Mary Jane served in the education ministry. She taught grade school at St. Mary Cathedral School in Covington, Ky., from 1951 to 1962. She also served as a high school math and religion teacher at Cathedral Central in Richmond, Va.; Archbishop Williams High School in Braintree, Mass.; Presentation Academy in Louisville, and Bethlehem High School in Bardstown, Ky.

Sister Mary Jane served her SCN Community as a volunteer at Nazareth Home in Louisville for many years. She also assisted in the administrative offices at Nazareth.

She is survived by her sister, Shirley Ann Patterson, her brother Joseph L. Rhodes Jr., her extended family, and her religious community, the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth.

Funeral and burial arrangements are as follows:

• The Wake will be held Sunday, Sept. 15, at 6:30 p.m. in St. Vincent de Paul Church.
• The funeral Mass will be held Monday, Sept. 16, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Vincent de Paul Church, followed by burial in the Nazareth Cemetery.
• The funeral will be webcast at nazareth.org/live. 

Funeral arrangements are being handled by Houghlin Greenwell Funeral Home, 1475 New Shepherdsville Road, Bardstown, KY 40004. Memorials may be offered to the Office of Mission Advancement, P.O. Box 9, Nazareth, KY 40048.