Mother Jane Mary Firestone

Mother Jane Mary Firestone, beloved Religious Sister of Mercy and dedicated physician, entered Eternal Life on March 11, 2017. Mother Jane Mary was born on January 4, 1944, in Ida, Michigan. She joined the Sisters of Mercy in Detroit, where she professed her final vows on August 16, 1969. As one of the founding members of the Religious Sisters of Mercy of Alma, MI, Mother was sent to study medicine at Michigan State University. She then practiced internal medicine for over 36 years and helped to establish what is now Sacred Heart Mercy Health Care Clinic, an apostolic work of the religious community.  Mother served as Chief of Staff at Gratiot Medical (Mid-MI Health System). Mother Jane Mary was devoted to the physical and spiritual care of her patients and also mentored subsequent Sisters of Mercy who became physicians. In order to better be of service, Mother also completed a Master’s Degree in Theology from Notre Dame University. 

Mother Jane Mary served on the General Council of the Religious Sisters of Mercy for many years, was novice directress, and in 2011 she was elected Vicar General.  She also served on the Board of Directors for the Council of Major Superiors of Women Religious.

Mother Jane Mary was preceded in death by her parents, Harry and Josephine Firestone, and her sister, Susan Burns. She is survived by her brother, Rev. Thomas Firestone of the Diocese of Lansing, Mary Gianino, and numerous nieces and nephews.

The visitation will be at Our Lady of Grace Education Center, 1965 Michigan Avenue, in Alma, MI, on Monday & Tuesday, March 13 & 14, from 10:00 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. The Mass of Christian Burial will be held at the Nativity of the Lord Parish, St. Mary’s Church, in Alma on Wednesday, March 15th, at 10:00 a.m., followed by the burial in DeWitt, MI, and a reception at Our Lady of Grace.

The family is being served by the Barden Funeral Home of Ithaca. Condolences may be left for the family online at www.bardenfuneralhome.com.

Comments

[Angela Kindel]

My deepest condolences to the family and sisters of Dr.Firestone. I worked as a Registered Nurse at Gratiot Medical Center,caring for many of her patients. She was a wonderful physician, she had a great sense of humor. I thoroughly enjoyed working with her. She will be missed. You all are in my prayers.

[Angela Kindel]

My deepest condolences to the family and sisters of Dr.Firestone. I worked as a Registered Nurse at Gratiot Medical Center,caring for many of her patients. She was a wonderful physician, she had a great sense of humor. I thoroughly enjoyed working with her. She will be missed. You all are in my prayers.

[Cecilia Sone]

My most deepest sympathy to the family and Religious Sisters of Mercy of Alma, in the passing of Mother Jane Mary Firestone, RSM.
A mass will be offered for her , her family and the RSM's of Alma!
In the Hearts of Jesus and Mary,
Cecilia, Maria Isabel, Daniel and Gabriel

[Bernadette Norris]

Dear Fr. Tom, Mary, Sam and Family,
I know Mother Jane has been struggling with health issues for some time, yet I was surprised and saddened to hear of her death. We are keeping all of you in our prayers.
I am sure Perpetual Light is shining upon her.
God Bless,
Bernadette & Bob

[MARY CHRISTMAN]

I'm so sad to read of this homegoing. I had the pleasure and honor of working for Dr Firestone at Sacred Heart Mercy Health in the 1990s and also had the privilege of working as a unit coordinator to serve her and other doctors at what was then Gratiot Community Hospital before and after my employment at Sacred Heart. She was a wonderful doctor, loved and appreciated by her patients and colleagues and all the medical and clerical staff. Things just always seemed to be more hopeful when she was on task. Her smile could light up a room. I moved away from Alma in 2013 and have often thought of her and her devotion to her medical and religious vocation. I'm sure she'll be sorely missed by those who love her. Prayerfully, Mary Christman

[Pam McCarthy]

I send my love and prayers to the Sisters of Mercy. While attending Alma College, I often celebrated Mass and Holy Hour with the sisters. They were an integral part of my faith life during a very important time. Mother Jane Mary is one of the most awesome sisters I have ever met. She will be missed by many. Also, condolences to Fr. Firestone and family. You will all be in my prayers <3

[Anthony Verdun Sr.]

I know it was a long wait for Sister Jane to face the Lord but to know that she is free and not bound to this place of suffering. Gives me hope and understanding that God is merciful. She served and served the glory of God well on this planet. Rest in peace and pray for us all who are left here on earth. Also Lord help the family to heal from the lost of their love one.

[Jill Loughney]

To Mary and family, I'm so sorry for the loss of your beloved sister and I wish you peace at this difficult time.

[Lois and. Mike. Yaeger]

DearTom and. Mary
So sorry to read about. Jane. Please know our prayers are for
You and your family. I have many fond memories staying at your
House when your Dad was out of town! Beautiful family ! God. Bless. All of. You!
Lois. Yaeger

[Michael Cunningham]

Dear Tom and Mary,
My deepest condolences on the passing of your sister, Jane. I will always remember Jane for her warm smile and ready sense of humor. Her service, in faith and medicine, to others will be her legacy; and she will be remembered for that above all. I hope you both can find some comfort and peace at this time.
Mike

[David N. Capaul]

Dear Mary, Sam Fr.Tom,and all.
Know I'm sending all our thoughts and prayers to you. Wish I could be able to be there. Let em know if you need anything.
God Bless, from all of us Capauls

David Capaul

[Orville and Shirley Wenrick and family .]

We are sending our deepest thoughts and prayers to your family. I will never forget the day Sister Jane got her new nun shoes. She marched right down to show my sister Judy. She was so excited. God bless!

[Mary and Lou Fischer]

So sorry for your loss. I can't imagine how much good she has done in her life. Lou and Mary

[PJ Newman]

Mary and family, so sorry about your loss. Thoughts and prayers

[Lynn & Anita Hanson]

Dear Father Tom & Mary,
We are so sorry for the loss of your dear sister. Lynn also fondly remembers being present to witness Jane modeling that first pair of nun shoes! And I remember her teaching one of my elementary catechism classes up on the stage in the church hall. There are so many happy memories of our families growing up in Ida. We wish we could have been with you this week to express our sympathy in person.
Love & prayers from Lynn & Anita Hanson

[Celeste Milne]

Dear Father Tom,
We have been praying for you and your sister's soul. We know what a sad time this must be for you.
Celeste and Bob Milne

[JAMES FARROUGH]

I was sadden to read that Dr Firestone had died. She cared for my mother for a number of years prior to her death. Dr Firestone was a great lady and will be sadly missed.--- James Farrough, Eufaula AL, (formerly of St. Louis MI)

[Babe Quintrall]

I am sorry for the loss of your dear Jane. May the "God of all comfort" embrace you and bring to your minds joyful memories.
(2 Corinthians 1:3,4) All the best wishes for your family at this time.

[Carl Karoub MD]

I have not had contact with Dr. Firestone since I was a med student at Sinai Hospital back in the late 1970s. We would both laugh about my being a Muslim and her being a Catholic in a Jewish hospital :) But it was terrific experience and it helped shape my residency. I am forever in debt to her. She was a wonderful doctor and teacher and friend. How wonderful to read all the comments and to learn of her great successes in both medicine and theology. She is an inspiration to all of us in medicine who also happen to be people of faith to consider what strides can be made by one who possesses both faith and knowledge and uses these tools to uplift humanity. Rest in peace Sister. You have truly earned it. My condolences to her brother Fr. Tom and to all who had the good fortune to know her.
Sincerely, Carl Karoub MD

[Lisa Hutchinson]

Dear family and friends of Mother Jane Mary/Dr. Firestone,
Thanking God for the gift that Mother was to my family. She took care of my aging grandfather for many years (care of him mind, body and soul); she and her community have been there for me in my own vocational journey. I am eternally grateful for her witness. Praying for peace and comfort as you continue to grieve. God bless!
Lisa