Sister Janice Jackson, SNJM
(Sister Stephen James)
March 12, 1933 – January 13, 2020
Sister Janice Jackson, SNJM departed this life on January 13, 2020 at Marie Rose Center, Mary’s Woods at Marylhurst in Lake Oswego, Oregon.
Sister Janice celebrated 86 years of life
Sister Janice Jackson, SNJM
Sister Stephen James
March 12, 1933 – January 13, 2020
Sister Janice Jackson, SNJM, age 86, died January 13, 2020. A Sister of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary for 65 years, her funeral will be held at 11 a.m., January 23, 2020, in the Chapel of the Holy Names, Marylhurst, Oregon. Burial follows at Holy Names Cemetery.
Janice was born March 12, 1933, in Salem, welcomed by her parents Louis Clark and Dorothy (Pickens) Jackson. She was later joined by two sisters and a brother. The Jackson family resettled in Salem in 1945 where Janice attended St Joseph’s Grade School and graduated from Sacred Heart Academy in 1951.
She entered the Holy Names Sisters, later receiving the religious name Sister M. Stephen James. She completed a teaching degree at Marylhurst College and taught in Holy Names schools in Seattle, Portland, Lake Oswego and finally at St. Vincent’s School in Salem.
In 1971 Sister Janice received her calling to pursue a Master of Counseling from the University of Oregon. As part of her studies, she envisioned a program to serve those in the penal system. Janice started the highly successful Sponsors, Inc., in Eugene, Oregon, serving Lane county prisoners. She affirmed and uplifted the dignity of hundreds of men and women as they transitioned from prison back to the community. When she retired from Sponsors, she continued on the board of directors. Honored for her compassionate spirit and vision, Sister Janice is one of the Oregon women included on the Walk of Heroines at Portland State University.
In retirement Sister Janice served as spiritual advisor and retreat guide to women in Eugene, and marketed her photographic art. In 2014, after living in Eugene for 43 years, she moved to Mary’s Woods at Marylhurst in Lake Oswego.
Sister Janice is survived by her sisters Judy Fischer (Bonney Lake, WA) and Susan (Don) Stuhr (Salem) and her brother Stephen Jackson (Eugene). Eight nieces and nephews and numerous great nieces and nephews benefited from her caring devotion to family. She is also survived by her dear friend and adopted family member Evelyn Gerardo Challis (Michael) and the members of her religious community.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Sponsors, 338 Hwy 99 N, Eugene, OR 97402 or to Sisters of the Holy Names Retirement Fund, P.O. Box 398, Marylhurst, OR 97036 or online at www.snjmusontario.org/donate.