May 21, 2025 Sister James Marie Kelly, a Sister of St. Joseph, died May 12, 2025 at the Summit Village in Watertown at the age of 89. Born Eileen Theresa Kelly on June 4, 1935, in Ogdensburg, she was the daughter of Edgar Joseph and Alida Doe Kelly. She entered the Sisters of St. Joseph September 8, 1953, and received the habit on April 25, 1954. Sister James Marie made final profession on August 29, 1959. In July of 2024, she celebrated her 70th Jubilee. Sister James Marie was a graduate of Immaculate Heart Academy, Class of 1953. She received her bachelor’s degree in elementary education from SUNY Potsdam. She later pursued her master’s degree in secondary math from SUNY Plattsburgh. Sister was the recipient of the NSF summer grant to the University of Pittsburgh and Marquette University. Sister James Marie has taught in many schools in the Diocese of Ogdensburg including St. Patrick’s in Watertown, St. Mary’s in Massena, St. Patrick’s in Port Henry, Augustinian Academy in Carthage (where she was principal), Holy Family in Massena, St. Mary’s in Ticonderoga (where she was principal), Mater Dei College in Ogdensburg, and Immaculate Heart Central in Watertown. In 2005, she was named Teacher of the Year in the Diocese of Ogdensburg Catholic School System. Sister James Marie is survived by many nieces and nephews, including Eileen Decent of Watertown, Jack Donoghue of Syracuse, Michael Donoghue of South Carolina, Patrick Donoghue of Fayetteville, Nancy Laverty of Watertown, Deanna Cole of Watertown, Kevin Kelly of Massena, Brian Kelly of Watertown, Sally Cadigan of Sedona, Arizona, Jerry Beattie of Lake Tahoe; and a sister-in-law, Caroline Kelly of Watertown; as well as several great nieces and nephews. Besides her parents, she is predeceased by her sisters Kathleen Beattie and Jean Donoghue, her brother Donald Louis Kelly, and a nephew Jay Beattie. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at Holy Family Church, Watertown, on May 15. Bishop Terry LaValley celebrated the Mass, and Msgr. Robert Aucoin was homilist. Memorial contributions may be made to the Sisters of St. Joseph, 866 Arsenal Street, Watertown, NY 13601. Online condolences to her family may be posted at www.cummingsfuneral.com. |
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