Sr. James Keegan, P.H.J.C.

Sister James Keegan, 77, of the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ (P.H.J.C.), died at 12:50 pm on Tuesday, February 10, 2004, in the Catherine Kasper Home,

Donaldson.

Born in East Chicago, IN, on May 20, 1926, she was the daughter of Francis and Ethel

Davis Keegan.

She entered the convent on June 25, 1946, and professed her first vows on June

26, 1948. Sister also earned an Associates Degree in Child Care.

Sister James Keegan, P.H. J. C., known as “Ma James”, spent 52 years taking care of boys. From 1948 to 1957 she worked at St. John’s Orphanage in Belleville, IL. Then from 1957-1966 and 1969-1974 she was at Angel Guardian Orphanage in Chicago, IL. She was at St. Vincent Villa in Fort Wayne, IN from 1966-1969. Sister then worked at Young House Boys Group Home in Burlington, IA, from 1974-1987.She worked at Boys Hope in Evanston, IL from 1987-2000, then lived at St. Henry Convent in Chicago from 2000-2004, where she continued to keep in contact with “her boys.” Sister James came to the Catherine Kasper Home in Donaldson, IN on January, 31, 2004.

Sister James is survived by two sisters, Mrs. Marguerite McMahon, Highland, IN, and Mrs. Helen Oliver, Michigan City, IN, plus several nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be from 4:30 to 9 p.m. on Thursday, February 12, 2004 in the Catherine Kasper Home in Donaldson, IN.

A Mass of Christian Burial, officiated by Father Edward Konerman, S.J., will take place in the Catherine Kasper Home chapel at 11:30 a.m., Friday, February 13, 2004.

Interment will be in Mt. Carmel Cemetery, Donaldson, IN.