Obituary of Sr. Janet McLaughlin, SC

Sister Janet McLaughlin, (92), formerly Sister Ralph Marie, a Sister of Charity of Saint Elizabeth, died May 2, 2026, after a brief hospitalization at Morristown Memorial Hospital. She resided at the Convent of the Sisters of Charity of Saint Elizabeth in Convent Station, NJ.

Sister Janet was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and entered the Sisters of Charity on September 6,1960 where she was a faithful member for 65 years. Sister Janet held many ministries and performed all with a quiet and steadfast earnestness.

Sister Janet graduated from Montclair State College, Montclair, NJ, with a Bachelor’s Degree in Mathematics and a Master’s Degree, also in Mathematics, from Boston College. She was an Educator in both the States of New Jersey and Rhode Island. She served as a teacher at Bayley-Ellard High School, Madison, NJ; Star of the Sea Academy, Long Branch, NJ; St. Michael High School, Jersey City, NJ and St. John School, Paterson, NJ. In addition, she was Director of the Equal Opportunity Program at the College of St. Elizabeth, Convent Station, NJ; Director of the Educational Program at Morris County Chaplaincy, Morristown, NJ; House Manager at the Halfway House, Morristown, NJ and at Paterson Towers,
Paterson, NJ. She was a staff member at the Hopestead House of Prayer, Wickford, RI and additionally was Coordinator of the Math Lab at Montclair State University, Montclair, NJ. An advocate for social justice and the environment, Sister Janet provided administrative/volunteer duties to the NGO Office for the Sisters of Charity Federation with the United Nations.

In her later years, because of her mathematical prowess and attention to detail, Sister Janet became the Treasurer for the Sisters of Charity Motherhouse Community coordinating with the Council, the local community of the Congregation and the Finance Department where she became involved with the daily life and household responsibilities for the Motherhouse community.

Aside from being mathematically gifted, Sister Janet had a passion for Social Justice and the environment. Sister Janet actively participated in the Charity Alive Programs within the Congregation. She was a lover of St. Andre Cheese and indeed, many of the Sisters looked forward to her sharing of this cheese on her many trips down to Maris Stella. She was an ardent Mets Fan and had a quiet grace. She also would have many religious discussions with various family members and friends from all walks of life.

Sister Janet is survived by the Sisters of Charity and many treasured family members and friends. She loved and was a beloved family member from both her Jewish origins and her Catholic upbringing.

The Wake for Sister Janet McLaughlin will be held on Thursday, May 14, 2026, from 9:30 am to 11:00 am, in Holy Family Chapel, Convent Station, NJ followed by the Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 am also at Holy Family Chapel. She will be buried in Holy Family Cemetery immediately following the Mass.

The Mass will be livestreamed.

Funeral arrangements are under the Direction of S. J. Priola Funeral Services, Lake Hiawatha, New Jersey.

In lieu of flowers, contributions to the Sisters of Charity Office of Legacy and Mission Advancement, P. O. Box 476, Convent Station, New Jersey, 07960-0476, would be appreciated.