A Mass of Christian Burial for Sister James Regina Rankin, D.C., was celebrated Dec. 19, 2015, at the Basilica of the National Shrine of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton in Emmitsburg, Md. Burial followed at Sacred Heart Cemetery in Emmitsburg. Sister James Regina died Dec. 12, 2015, at Villa St. Michael in Emmitsburg. She was 80 years of age and 62 years vocation as a Daughter of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul.
Born in Richmond, Va., Dec. 15, 1934, Sister James Regina (baptized Katreen Rankin) was one of two children born to Brigadier General James William and Nell (Lord) Rankin. Sister graduated from St. Patrick’s High School in Richmond in 1952 and entered the Daughters of Charity in December 1952.
Sister James Regina earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education from St. Joseph College in Emmitsburg in 1969. She earned her Master of Arts degree in Theology from St. Michael’s College in Colchester, Vt., in 1980.
After initial formation, Sister James Regina served at St. James School in Johnson City, N.Y. (1954—1958); St. Catherine Labouré School in Wheaton, Md. (1958—1971); St. Charles School in Baltimore, Md. (1971—1975); Elizabeth Seton High School in Baltimore (1975—1990); St. Vincent DePaul High School in Petersburg,Va. (1990—2001); St. Joseph School in Petersburg (2005—2009); and Mother Seton School in Emmitsburg (2009—2010). Sister James Regina entered the Ministry of Prayer at Villa St. Michael in 2011 and continued in this ministry until the time of her death.
Sister James Regina was preceded in death by her parents and her sister, Jeanne Rankin Cooksey. She is survived by nieces, nephews and her Sisters in Community.