Sister Ellenore Mary Jordan, RSM died during her 76th year as a Sister of Mercy on October 17th in the Baggot Street Community at Saint Mary Home. The oldest of eight children, Sister Ellenore Mary was born in Waterbury, CT on May 4, 1929 to James and Eleanor (Fay) Jordan.

Having contracted polio as a child, Sister Ellenore Mary overcame the disease’s effects and used this lifetime experience to seek opportunities for personal, empathetic outreach to individuals dealing with serious illness. As the oldest child in her family, Sister Ellenore Mary provided guidance and direction, including assistance with homework, for her siblings. As the years passed, her family remembered her many kindnesses and assistance over time and they, in turn, visited her regularly, always bringing chocolates and a cup of butter pecan ice cream.

Having graduated as Valedictorian of her high school class and deeply influenced by the Sisters of Mercy who taught her at Sacred Heart High School, Waterbury, Sister Ellenore Mary entered the Sisters of Mercy after graduation (1947), professing final vows on January 2, 1953. In fact, Sister Ellenore Mary knew that she would be a Sister of Mercy when she was in first grade and she never wavered from this life pathway.

Sister Ellenore Mary earned a B.A. in Education, a minor in Music, and a M.A. in Mathematics Education at the University of Saint Joseph (West Hartford, CT).

Blending quiet determination, keen intellect, and sensitivity to the value of each person, Sister Ellenore Mary was recognized by the Archdiocesan School System for her life-time commitment to excellence as an educator. On a national level, Sister Ellenore Mary was a sought-after presenter of her authored elementary and junior high school computer literacy curriculum (1981) and accompanying workbooks.  In addition to developing the curriculum, Sister Ellenore Mary conducted professional development sessions for the teachers and administrators responsible for the local school curricula. Not limited to the classroom, she shared her talents and creativity through photography of nature, self-designed notecards, musical presentations and family fruit cake and Irish bread recipes.

Upon completing her service as Mathematics/Computer Coordinator for Elementary Schools in the Archdiocese, Sister Ellenore Mary mastered technology and established the computer philanthropy system for record-keeping and donor recognition in the Archdiocesan healthcare system.

In her final years in the Mercy Community on Baggot Street, Sister Ellenore Mary continued to grace many lives with her prayers, presence, contagious laugh, and the mischievous twinkle in her eyes. Always appreciative of others, their kindness and service, “Thank You” was the theme of her life.

The Sisters of Mercy are grateful to the staff at the Baggot Street Community, Saint Mary Home, for their loving and compassionate care for our Sister Ellenore Mary.

In addition to her parents, Sister Ellenore Mary was predeceased by her brothers: Harry, Edward, and James, her sister Faye, and her nephew James, her aunt, Sister Maryann Fay, RSM and her close friend and mentor Sister Mary Gratia English, RSM. She is survived by her brothers:  John (Mary) and Patrick, and her sister Mary Lepper (Bill), her nieces: Cara Vernali (Sal), Jennifer Jordan, and Sally Jordan, and her nephews:  Michael Lepper, Matthew Jordan (Ellen), Eric Jordan, Greg Jordan and their families; her close friend, Sister Maureen Reardon, RSM, and the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas.

Sister Ellenore Mary’s Funeral services will be held on Monday, October 23rd at Saint Mary Home, 2021 Albany Avenue, West Hartford, CT; the Wake will be at 9:30-11 a.m., the Mass of Christian Burial at 11am, and burial service will follow in Saint Mary Cemetery at 2021 Albany Avenue, West Hartford. To view a livestream of the Mass of Christian Burial, please follow this link https://client.tribucast.com/tcid/8964070963 or view the livestream via the Photos and Videos tab at the top of the obituary, just underneath Sister Ellenore's photo.

You are asked to consider donations in her memory to the Sisters of Mercy, 25 Prescott Street. 1st floor, West Hartford, CT 06110.