Julia K Keaveney

Sister St. Fintan csn – Julia (Sheila) Kathleen Keaveney

September 22, 1935 – October 18, 2023

The Sisters of Nazareth share the sad news of the passing of their beloved Sister St. Fintan Keaveney, Wednesday evening, October 18, 2023, at Nazareth House, San Diego surrounded by the Sisters.

Julia Kathleen (Sheila) Keaveney was born on September 22, 1935, in Clevaragh, Co. Sligo, Ireland to John and Margaret Mary (Keegan), the fifth of their eight children. Predeceased by her brothers Dermot and Padraig and her sister Mary. Loved and sadly missed by her sisters Betty, Deirdre and Nell, her brother Paul, sister-in-law Pauline, many nieces and nephews, her community Sisters, friends, and past students.

Sister Fintan entered the Congregation of the Sisters of Nazareth on February 2, 1958, and made her first vows on November 21, 1959, at Nazareth House, Hammersmith, London. At the time of her death, she was a member of the Congregation for more than sixty-five years of loving commitment to the people of God in the field of education.

After her extensive education she taught in Nazareth Lodge School, Belfast Ireland from 1970 through 1979. Sister came to America in 1980 and became the Principal of Nazareth School, San Diego. For the next eleven years, as Principal, she was known among the school community for her compassion and sense of justice.

In 1991, Sister became the Principal of St. Ann’s School in Stoughton, Wisconsin where she continued her reputation of excellence in Education. Sister had a quick Irish sense of humor and was known for her cheerful outlook. She often quoted to the children, “Love and respect each other.”  She was kind, charitable, compassionate, and committed to justice in all her endeavors.

In 1997 the Community called her to leadership at Nazareth House in Los Angeles until 2003.

Sister Fintan became the Vocation Director for the Sisters of Nazareth from 2003-2009. She was gifted in this position and helped many young men and women discern their vocation to the priesthood or religious life.

In 2009 Sister continued her ministry of visiting the sick in our Nazareth Houses. Sister retired to San Rafael in 2014 where she spent her time in prayer and praying with the dying in our Assisted Living facility. Having been given the gift of time, she shared it with others by her ministry of presence to the sick.

When Sister’s health, began to fail, she returned to Nazareth House in San Diego, where she spent her last years under the care of our wonderful Nazareth house staff.

The Sisters of Nazareth wish to express their gratitude to her family who grounded Sister in her religious faith and sound character, all those who journeyed with her in the field of education, her friends and former students who loved her, those who cared for her in her last days at Nazareth and lastly her religious family who loved and embraced her. We will all miss her, but know she has gone to her Savior and Lord whom she served so well on her earths journey.

May she Rest in Peace in the arms of her loving Savior. Holy Family of Nazareth watch over her and protect her.

Funeral services will be held at: Mission Basilica San Diego de Alcalá 10818 San Diego Mission Rd, San Diego, CA 92108

Rosary, Tuesday, October 24^th 6:00 pm.  Mass of the Resurrection on Wednesday, October 25th at 11am. Private Interment at Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery at 2:30 pm.  A live streaming of the Mass of Resurrection will be provided.

Memorials may be sent to the ‘Sisters of Nazareth’, Nazareth House, San Diego, to establish a Memorial Scholarship in Sister Fintan’s name at Nazareth School, for the education of needy children whom she so dearly loved.