Obituary of Sr. Regis A. Keane, SC

Sister Regis A. Keane, SC (formerly Sr. John Regis) 84, a committed member of the Sisters of Charity of Saint Elizabeth for 66 years, peacefully entered into eternal rest on March 22, 2025, at Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center, Livingston, New Jersey. 

 

Born and raised in Jersey City, NJ to John and Tillie (Linderman) Keane, Regis attended elementary school and high school in Jersey City. As a student at the Academy of St. Aloysius in Jersey City, Regis was introduced to the Sisters of Charity of Saint Elizabeth, and there she experienced a community of friends who together with the Sisters of Charity helped shape the beginnings of her lifelong commitment to faith and service. Following high school, she entered the Sisters of Charity in 1958. 

 

Sister Regis earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from the College of Saint Elizabeth, Convent Station, NJ and began her ministry as an educator at Our Lady of Lourdes in West Orange, NJ and Our Lady of Visitation in Paramus, NJ. Following these years in teaching, Regis served as a House Parent at St. Mary's Orphanage in Newark, NJ providing care and support to countless children developing relationships with them that have lasted throughout her life. 

 

Her desire to become a nurse led her to receive her LPN in Practical Nursing from St. Barnabas Hospital in Livingston, NJ and then her RN in Nursing from Elizabeth General School of Nursing, Elizabeth, NJ. She ministered as a nurse serving for many years as an RN and Patient Care Coordinator for Labor and Delivery and then as an RN in Same Day Surgery, all at St. Barnabas Medical Center, Livingston, NJ where she formed strong bonds with physicians and colleagues and was deeply respected by staff and patients alike. She continuously ministered at St. Barnabas until her retirement in 2015. 

 

In addition to her professional and religious life commitments, Sister Regis embraced life with enthusiasm. She was passionate about music, singing with the Masterwork Chorus and the Sisters of Charity various choirs. She loved "Broadway" and delighted in attending plays, even meeting a variety of actors on backstage tours. She was also deeply involved in the parishes she attended, Our Lady of Sorrows, South Orange, NJ and St. Joseph's, Maplewood, NJ and was an active participant in the Cursillo movement, helping to inspire and strengthen the faith of others. She was a generous and willing volunteer for many causes - a favorite of her being Maris Stella Retreat and Conference Center on LBI, where she found great joy. 

 

Sister Regis loved the Sisters of Charity, her family, and friends. She cherished and shared many adventures with Sister Mary Jo Ward. She was a woman who deeply valued relationships with many people. She enjoyed entertaining, attending weddings and celebrations, and visiting with friends, many of whom became like family. She had a love of reading and keeping up with current events which she eagerly shared with others. Her life was a testament to faith, love, and unwavering service to others. She will be remembered for her kindness, humility, generosity and deep commitment to her congregation, family, friends, and the many lives she touched. 

 

Sister Regis was predeceased by her parents John and Tillie Keane and her brother Charles Keane. She is survived by the Sisters of Charity of St. Elizabeth; her dearest friend Sr. Mary Jo Ward, SC; her nephew John Keane (Suzanne LaBerge) of Delaware and niece Erin Keane (Drew Zipp) of Kentucky and great-nieces and great-nephew Mia, Mariana and Matthew Keane, as well as a loving extended family, friends, and colleagues. 

 

The wake for Sister Regis will be held at Holy Family Chapel, Convent Station, New Jersey on Friday, March 28, 2025, from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 1:00 PM. Burial in Holy Family Cemetery, Convent Station, will immediately follow the Mass. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Stephen J. Priola Parsippany Funeral Service. The Mass will be livestreamed. 

In lieu of flowers, donations in Sr. Regis' memory would be appreciated to the Sisters of Charity Office of Legacy and Mission Advancement, P.O. Box 476, Convent Station, NJ, 07961-0476. 

May she rest in the peace of Christ, whom she served so faithfully. 

 

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