Noted educator, psychologist, nurse and canon lawyer
BELMONT — Mercy Sister Jeanne Margaret McNally passed away peacefully July 6, 2024, at Sacred Heart Convent. A Sister of Mercy for 75 years, Sister Jeanne Margaret was a nurse, psychologist, canon lawyer and leader within the community and the Church.
The Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated July 20, 2024, in Cardinal Gibbons Chapel at Sacred Heart Convent in Belmont. Interment followed at Belmont Abbey Cemetery.
Jeanne Margaret McNally was born on Nov. 22, 1931, in New York City, the daughter of Edward Joseph McNally and Margaret Elizabeth Weyland, both of New York.
She attended St. Jean Baptiste High School in New York, then professed with the Sisters of Mercy in Belmont.
She received her A.S. in nursing from Sacred Heart College in Belmont, R.N. at Mercy Hospital in Charlotte, B.S. and M.S. in nursing, as well as a Ph.D in psychology and J.C.L. in canon law from the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. She also received an administration certificate from UNC-Chapel Hill, psychology certificate from Harvard University, canon law certificate from Nova Southeastern University in Davie, Fla., and an honorary doctorate from Sacred Heart College.
Sister Jeanne Margaret’s spiritual motto was “What Is This In Eternity.” She lived this as a nurse, an elected regional councilor and president for 13 years. She served on many boards and was well known as a canon lawyer for the Archdiocese of Miami and the Diocese of Charlotte. Among her fellow Sisters, she was a well-known storyteller and an advocate for higher education.
“Her legacy leaves very big shoes to fill – I don’t know if we’re ever going to have another like her. She had the full package – she was very intelligent, very willing to help, and just could do so many different things,” said Lisa Sarvis, head of the tribunal chancery, who worked with Sister Jeanne Margaret on issues of canon law for more than 15 years. “She continued to assist us after her retirement and she did anything we needed her to do if she was capable of it. Her mind never let her down. She knew her topic, could help with any situation and answer any question. She was wonderful to work with.”
Bishop Emeritus Peter Jugis worked with Sister Jeanne Margaret for several years in the diocesan tribunal when he served as judicial vicar before becoming bishop. Earlier this year during the celebration of her 75th jubilee, she smiled as she recalled studying canon law alongside Bishop Jugis at the Catholic University of America.
In remembrance, Bishop Jugis said, “I am grateful to the Lord and to Sister Jeanne Margaret for the expert help Sister gave us with the important work of our diocesan tribunal.”
Father John Putnam, the current judicial vicar for the diocese and pastor of St. Mark Parish in Huntersville, first met Sister Jeanne Margaret when he was in the seminary. They later worked together extensively on cases that came before the diocesan tribunal.
“She was working at the tribunal while I was studying canon law and she was always helpful,” Father Putnam said. “As the years went by, I always valued her opinions and insights. She had a keen mind for discerning the truth of a situation, and she was committed to the pursuit of justice. We were all very fond of her and were very thankful that she continued to assist as an assessor, advocate and psychological expert long after she officially retired. She was an amazing person, and I was better for knowing her.”
Sister Jeanne Margaret loved all the people she served throughout her life. She especially enjoyed working with the novices at Belmont Abbey Monastery in Belmont and helping people understand the teachings and laws of the Catholic Church.
Working with and knowing Sister Jeanne Margaret also meant getting to enjoy her keen sense of humor on a regular basis.
“She was very much a witty person with a sense of humor that was both funny and intellectual,” Sarvis said.
In his homily at her funeral Mass, celebrant Father Kevin Walsh, OCSO, of Mepkin Abbey in South Carolina reflected on the love and pride Sister Jeanne Margaret had for her fellow sisters and their ministry in North Carolina.
“On my first visit to Belmont Abbey, she walked us around and showed us the programs the Sisters of Mercy hosted, and I could feel the well-placed pride she radiated in her sisters who created and staffed these programs,” Father Walsh said. “As proud as she was of her family in this religious community, she also thanked God for the love of her parents and siblings and delighted in speaking of her family and their accomplishments. She lived deeply in the circles of her family that were her religious community, her own biological family and this wonderful family of God.”
Sister Jeanne Margaret was preceded in death by her parents and her sister, Patricia.
She is survived by her many family members and the Community of Sisters of Mercy.
The Sisters of Mercy would like to thank the Novant Health Family Physicians of Gastonia, Dr. Kenneth Edel, and CaroMont Heart, Dr. Anthony Arn, for their years of dedicated care. Also a thank you to the Marian Center staff and nurses as well as the Alumni of Mercy School of Nursing – Class of 1967, for their years of devotion to Sister Jeanne Margaret.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Sisters of Mercy, 101 Mercy Dr., Belmont, N.C. 28012.
Online condolences may be shared at www.mcleanfuneral.com.
McLean Funeral Directors Belmont was in charge of the arrangements.
— Catholic News Herald