Sister Jean Harvey, OP, of the Dominican Sisters of Sparkill, New York, died on August 26, 2011 at her home in St. Louis, MO. Born in St. Louis on November 16, 1941, Jean was the daughter of William Joseph and Dorothy Anna Wolff Harvey. She entered the Dominican Congregation of Our Lady of the Rosary in Sparkill on September 8, 1962, and became known as Sister Christopher Mary. She professed her first vows in 1964 and her final vows in 1969.
Sister Jean earned B.S. in Education from St. Thomas Aquinas College, NY; an MA in Mathematics from Manhattan College, NY; a
PhD. In Mathematics Education from St. John University, NY; and an MSW in Social Work from St. Louis University. During her professional life, Sister Jean ministered in the Archdioceses of New York and St. Louis, and in the Diocese of Biloxi, MS. She taught at St. Rose of Lima School, NY (1964-66); Rosary Academy, Sparkill, NY (1966-70); and at Sparkill Union Free School, NY (1975-76), and then served as principal (1976-1978). From 1976-80 she was a member of the Executive Team of the Dominican Sisters of Sparkill. Sister Jean served as Executive Director of New Hope Manor, Garrison, NY (1984-1989). She also ministered as Director of Adult Education in Annunciation Parish, Biloxi, MS (1980-84). In her native St. Louis, Sister Jean was on the faculties of St. Louis University (1972-1975) and Maryville University (1991-1992). Since 1990 she has been a supervisor and counselor at Queen of Peace Center. We will remember Sister Jean for her honesty and determination, her generosity and vision, and her commitment to ministry for justice for and with “people on the margins.” We thank her for her forty-nine years of loving service as a Sparkill Dominican. May she be at home with God in whom she believed so deeply.