A Mass of Christian Burial for Sister Jane Marie Otterson, D.C., was celebrated May 4, 2019, at the Basilica of the National Shrine of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton in Emmitsburg, Md. Burial followed at Sacred Heart Cemetery in Emmitsburg. Sister Jane Marie died April 29, 2019, at Villa St. Michael in Emmitsburg. She was 93 years of age and 71 years vocation as a Daughter of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul.
Born in Philadelphia, Pa., on April 27, 1926, Sister Jane Marie (baptized Mary Elizabeth) was one of six children born to Daniel and Jane (Convery) Otterson. A 1944 graduate of West Philadelphia Catholic Girls High School in Philadelphia, Pa., Sister Jane Marie entered the Community of the Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul from the Transfiguration of Our Lord Parish in Philadelphia, Pa., August 1947. Sister earned her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Elementary Education from St. Joseph College in Emmitsburg, Md., in 1968, and her Master’s Degree in Library Science from Catholic University of America, Washington, D.C., in 1980.
Following initial formation, Sister Jane Marie served as a Teacher at Our Lady of Victory Elementary School in Portsmouth, Va., (1948 to 1955); then, she was missioned to St. Joseph’s Villa, Richmond, Va., where she served as a Group Worker (1955 to 1959). Sister then returned to teaching, serving as an Elementary Teacher for the next 14 years at the following schools: Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal School, Greensboro, N.C., (1959 to 1961); St. John’s School, Albany, N.Y., (1961 to 1964); Sacred Heart School, Norfolk, Va., (1964 to 1967); St. Pius X School, Greensboro, N.C., (1967 to 1971); Our Lady Queen of Peace School, Washington, D.C., (1971 to 1975); and Mother Seton School, Emmitsburg, Md., (1975 to 1976). Sister Jane Marie remained at Mother Seton School for the next six years, where she served as Librarian (1976 to 1982). Sister was then missioned to Providence Hospital, Washington, D.C., where she served as a Parish Visitor and worked in Medical Records (1982 to 1984). In 1984, Sister was missioned to Baltimore, Md., where she served as a Religious Education Coordinator at St. Martin Parish (1984 to 1986) and as Parish Minister at St. Michael Parish (1986 to 1990). Sister Jane Marie was then missioned to St. Matthew Mission in Spotsylvania, Va., where she ministered in RCIA (1990 to 1998). Sister Jane Marie served as an Outreach Worker at Our Lady of the Valley Parish, Gloverville, S.C., (1998 to 2002); then, she was missioned to St. Benedict Parish, Baltimore, Md., where she served as a Pastoral Associate (2002 to 2003). In 2004, Sister Jane Marie served as an Administrative Assistant at My Brother’s Keeper Soup Kitchen in Baltimore, Md., (2004 to 2005); then, served as a Volunteer at St. Agnes Hospital in Baltimore in its Emergency Department (2005 to 2008). In 2008, Sister Jane Marie was missioned to Emmitsburg, Md., where she assisted the senior Sisters at Villa St. Michael and St. Catherine’s Nursing Center (2008 to 2013). In 2013, Sister Jane Marie joined the Ministry of Prayer at Villa St. Michael in Emmitsburg, Md.; she served there until the time of her death.
Sister Jane Marie was preceded in death by her parents; her brothers, Daniel, Harry, and Patrick Otterson; and her sisters, Alice Mullen and Jane McCarthy. She is survived by her niece, Rosanna McCarthy; other nieces and nephews; many friends; and her Sisters in Community.