Sister Jeanne Tighe has faithfully served Gesu Parish's religious education needs since 1973.
View Image Gallery

Sr. Jeanne Tighe, sfcc, began her teaching career at Gesu School in University Heights in the 1969-70 school year as an 8th grade science and math teacher. Upon her retirement in June, she shared memories about the Gesu community’s wonderful families, students, faculty, staff members and parishioners living throughout the Heights.

From 1973-1981, Sr. Jeanne was the director of religious education for the school and for Gesu Church’s parish school of religion (PSR). Since 1981, she served as director of adult education and liturgy.

She helped to coordinate hundreds of liturgies, including weddings, funerals, Communions, Confirmations, Masses of Anointing, the liturgical seasons such as Christmas and Easter, special ceremonies such as the installation of new pastors, and the jubilees of many Jesuit priests.

Add to that the dedication celebrations of the 1990’s buildings, such as Gesu’s Educational Center, Family Center and Marian Chapel, and her liturgy duties which have touched a great many lives over the years.

She was always busy working with the parents in the sacrament programs as well as coordinating retreats for senior adults, moms of school age children, men and women.

Sr. Jeanne served under seven Jesuit pastors, including Gesu’s current pastor, Fr. Lorn Snow, SJ, and she has worked with more than 30 associate pastors and six school principals including, Sr. Linda Martin, OSU.

A member of the Sisters for Christian Community since 1975, Sr. Jeanne is a graduate of Beaumont School in Cleveland Heights. She attended Ursuline College in Pepper Pike and holds bachelor and masters degree from John Carroll University.

She is a published author, teacher and speaker on local and national levels. She has conducted national and diocesan conferences on faith formation and taught scripture and spirituality courses for teachers and parents throughout the Cleveland diocese.

Sr. Jeanne has been a consultant to the Jesuit Detroit Province Development office and John Carroll University. She is a member of the board of trustees for the Jesuit Retreat House and the Irish American Archives Society.

At her farewell Mass and reception on June 7, Sr. Jeanne commented, “I am grateful to the dozens of wonderful lay men and women who have helped assure that Gesu School and Parish School of Religion remain among the truly vibrant parishes in our diocese.”

Best wishes to Sr. Jeanne Tighe!

Mary Patton is a public relations consultant and a longtime resident of the Heights. She currently lives in University Heights with her husband and daughter.