Sister Jane H. Silk, RSM, formerly Sister Mary Magdalen, RSM, died peacefully on October 12, 2023 at Norwalk Hospital, Norwalk, CT. She was born in Norwalk, CT to William E. and Helen Carroll on December 24, 1931. Entering the Sisters of Mercy on July 1, 1949 after high school graduation, Sr. Jane professed her final vows as a Sister of Mercy on June 28, 1955.

Sr. Jane received a B.S. from the Diocesan Teachers College, Madison, CT (1953), an M. Ed from Boston College (1961), a D. Ministry in Divinity Studies (1977) and a Ph.D. in Theology from the Graduate Theological Foundation, Donaldson, IN (2005).

Combining her skills and talents as an educator with those in spiritual direction, Sr. Jane believed that companioning people on their faith journeys was central to each. With the Sisters of Mercy recognizing her ability to maximize the potential of her students, she served as a Master Teacher for Sisters of Mercy in training at the Country Day School, Madison, CT and in Catholic schools in CT.  Serving as spiritual director for more than 500 individuals and making presentations at more than 400 workshops and conferences for individuals in leadership in religious communities, education and healthcare, her belief that; “We are all on a journey home to our Father, and along the way, it is very valuable to speak with another person who is a guide on that journey home.”, served as the foundational principle. Built on a reflection of God as our “Friend”, Sr. Jane lived and promoted the tenet that “there is no room for fear in the relationship with a friend – only trust – ever deepening.” Reflecting on humankind’s movement in the New Millenium, Sr. Jane identified Women and the Indigenous as the two key voices.

Influencing the lives of a diverse population was central to the Norwich, CT Diocese establishing the Emmaus – Spiritual Life Center in Uncasville, CT (1977). As its director, Sr. Jane brought the reality of God’s presence in all aspects of life to people attending her sessions.

Predeceased by her parents, her brothers Edward, William, Richard, her sister Margaret Quick; Sr. Jane is survived by her sisters-in-law Joan and Kathleen Silk, and many nieces, nephews, grandnieces, and grandnephews; her close friend Jeanne Snyder, RSM and the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas.

Sr. Jane’s Wake and Funeral Mass will be held on Tuesday, October 17, at St. Mary Home Chapel, 2021 Albany Avenue, West Hartford, CT. The Wake will be from 9:30am to 11:00am. The Mass of Resurrection will be at 11:00am. A Committal Service will be in her family plot in St. John Cemetery, Norwalk, CT. To view the livestream of the Mass of Resurrection for Sister Jane, please follow this link https://client.tribucast.com/tcid/3725573059 or view the livestream via the Photos and Videos tab at the top of the obituary, just underneath Sister’s photo.

We are asked to consider contributions in memory of Sr. Jane Silk, RSM to the Sisters of Mercy, 25 Prescott Street, 1st Floor, West Hartford, CT 06110.