Sister Jane Petrunyak, H.M., formerly Sister Mary Simon, 90, died Sunday, February 4, 2024 at Villa Maria Community Center.
Originally from Patton, Pennsylvania, and youngest in a family of nine children, Sister Jane Petrunyak followed in the footsteps of three of her older siblings and moved to Cleveland, Ohio, after her graduation in 1951 from Patton High School. Some years later she was attracted to religious life. A priest in Cleveland suggested that she approach the Sisters of the Humility of Mary. She entered the HM Community as a postulant in 1957, made her first vows in 1959 and her perpetual vows in 1964.
Sister Jane had a natural affinity for numbers, which she applied as the school treasurer at Lourdes Academy, Cleveland for eight years and then at Magnificat High School, Rocky River for 13 years. She provided clerical services at the former St. Joseph Hospital, Lorain, followed by her return to Magnificat High School as a member of the office staff there for another ten years. At Villa Maria Community Center she was involved as office staff and a volunteer in various capacities over 18 years. Sister Jane quietly served in the ministry of prayer until her death.
The daughter of the late Joseph and Mary (Churella) Petrunyak and sister of the late Marie Fejes, Dorothy Synk and John, Joseph, Albert, Leo and Emery Petrunyak, she is survived by her brother Fred Petrunyak. Sister Jane was Aunt Jane to her many nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews and great great nieces and nephews. She is also survived by her sisters in the Humility of Mary Congregation, with whom she shared her life for 67 years.
The funeral is Friday, February 9, at 10:30 a.m. at Villa Maria Chapel, in Villa Maria, Pennsylvania, with the Rite of Return and viewing at Villa Maria Chapel beginning at 9:45 a.m. before Mass. The funeral will be livestreamed. The Prayer of Remembrance celebrating the life of Sr. Jane Petrunyak is scheduled for Tuesday, February 20, at 7 p.m. [via ZOOM]. Please email info@humilityofmary.org for the Zoom link.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Sisters of the Humility of Mary, Development Office, PO Box 534, Villa Maria PA 16155. Arrangements by McCauley Funeral Home.
