Sister Jan Marie Kalyan, IHM

Sister Jan Marie Kalyan, IHM, of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary died on Friday, May 31, 2024, at Our Lady of Peace Residence in Scranton, PA.

Born on March 5, 1943, in Mountain Top, PA, and given the name Rosemary Grace, Sister Jan Marie was the daughter of the late John and Anna Gerish Kalyan, and stepdaughter of the late Julia Lucash-Kalyan. She entered the IHM Congregation on September 8, 1962, made temporary profession of her vows on June 27, 1965, and final profession of her vows on September 5, 1970.  Sister Jan Marie received a Bachelor of Science degree in education/music, a Bachelor of Music degree in music education, and a Master of Arts degree in music education, all from Marywood College. She was permanently certified in both art education and music education K-12.

Sister Jan Marie served as a teacher at the following schools: St. Clare Elementary School in Scranton, PA, from 1966 to 1968; St. Mary Elementary School in Manhasset, NY, from 1968 to 1971; Little Flower Elementary School in Bethesda, MD, from 1971 to 1975; Monsignor McHugh Elementary School and Pocono Central Catholic High School, both in Cresco, PA, from 1975 to 1984; St. Rose Elementary School and Sacred Heart High School, both in Carbondale, PA, from 1984 to 1990; Notre Dame Jr./Sr. High School in East Stroudsburg, PA, from 1990 to 1996; and Bishop Hoban High School in Wilkes-Barre, PA, from 1996 to 2002.

At Marywood University in Scranton, PA, Sister served on the faculty from 2002 to 2003 and 2007 to 2012, and as supervisor of student teachers from 2007 to 2018. 

She lovingly cared for her aged parents from 2003 to 2007.

As a talented musician, Sister Jan Marie also served as liturgy director and worship coordinator at Christ the King Parish in Blakeslee, PA, from 1980 to 1998; and at St. Francis Cabrini Parish in Wyoming, PA, from 2003 to 2022.

From 2003 until the time of her death, Sister Jan Marie was the director of Photos by Jan, an art and photography gallery and shop. She had an eye for capturing beauty in nature and used her photographs to create greeting cards and framed art.

She was preceded in death by two brothers, Fred and Gene. Sister Jan Marie is survived by a sister, Anita, of Clarks Summit, PA; a sister-in-law, Kathy Kalyan of Warwick, NY; nieces and nephews. She is also survived by the members of the IHM Congregation.

The funeral will be Friday, June 7, at 11:00 a.m. with Mass of Christian Burial at Our Lady of Peace Residence, 1510 University Avenue in Dunmore, PA. Friends may call at Our Lady of Peace Residence on Friday, June 7, between 9:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. A prayer service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Interment will follow Mass on Friday at St. Catherine’s Cemetery in Moscow, PA.

Prayer of Remembrance and Funeral

Reflection

Given by Sister Grace Surdovel, IHM Leadership Team Member

I was a student teacher under the supervision of Jan Marie at Notre Dame High School in East Stroudsburg, PA, in 1990.  Jan was a newly minted art educator after spending many years as an elementary and secondary music educator in schools in NY, MD and PA. Jan loved to teach, and her love was contagious. Those of us blessed to learn from Jan caught this love for education. After leaving the K-12 classroom, Jan supervised student teachers in music and art education at Marywood University, once again helping to foster a love for teaching in the next generation of educators.

Jan was an accomplished musician and avid artist and photographer.  Along with her teaching responsibilities, Jan provided organ accompaniment at parishes in Blakeslee and Wyoming as well as at numerous congregational gatherings.  Her photography is known across many states through her website “Photos by Jan” and can be found in many of our homes or offices.  Jan’s love of life and love of nature were evident in all her captured images, artwork and music. 

During these last years as Jan struggled with illness, she decided that she would create a “bucket list” of things that she wished to accomplish before she returned home to God.  These items included visits to her family homestead or favorite destinations, evenings out for dinner or ice cream with friends and long visits with her close friends and family.

One final piece Jan wanted to complete was a reflection journal that would include photos taken by her along with quotes that inspired her, and that she hoped would inspire the reader.  I encouraged Jan to work toward completing this book as a part of her legacy.  Jan worked with Sisters Fran Fasolka and Kathy Burns in the layout of this book in these last few months and I am happy to share that this journal is now in the final stages of publication and will be available through Amazon in the next few weeks.  We also hope to have copies available for purchase in Heartworks.  When you look at this beautiful journal and pray through the images and inspirational quotes, you will be able to hear Jan’s call to “come within,” enjoy the beauty of nature all around you and rest awhile in the love of God as Jan is now doing in her heavenly home. 

In closing, I would like to share one of the quotes from Jan’s final publication.  I think is sums up Jan’s own courageous path of life, love and adventure: “Do not be afraid to travel a new path. It may be the way to find what you’ve been looking for all along.” – Author unknown

Jan, may your new path lead you home to the loving arms of your God and family.  May eternal rest come to you and may perpetual light shine upon you now and forever.