Sr. Jean Ann Livesey SNJM (Francis of the Cross) grew up the east end of Montreal. She attended St. Aloysius School from Grade 1 through 9 and completed her high school education at St. Dominic’s Academy, both run by the SNJM’s.  She then worked as a business secretary for the next four years.

In the summer of 1956, she entered the SNJM Novitiate in Montreal and made her first profession two years later.  Livesey’s teaching career began at Holy Names High School in 1958.  It then took her out to Our Lady Queen of the World School in Mackayville, (later known as Laflèche), then to Mount Holy Names (a private SNJM boarding school in Outremont), back to Holy Names High and subsequently to Vincent Massey High School.  Although Livesey taught most subjects at both the junior and senior levels, her specializations were religion and history.  Livesey loved teaching and was known as a pedagogue “par-excellence”. 

While at Vincent Massey H.S. she initiated out-reach project with her grades Grade 10 and 11 religion classes.  Students arrived early on Monday mornings to make sandwiches which were then distributed at an elementary school, located in a low-income neighborhood.  This project was later taken over by a local parish.

After she retired in 1993, she became involved in the General administration of the Congregation.  She was elected general treasurer in 1997 and served in this post for 7 years.  Previously, she had also served as a member of the SNJM provincial leadership team.  

She currently works part time in the finance office of the SNJM Quebec province. She is also a member of SNJM corporations and committees that oversee various funds. 

Livesey lives at St. Joseph Residence in Rosemont.  She loves to work in the garden, an activity she finds peaceful and enriching and where she does her best thinking.

Three biblical passages serve as guiding lights for her: “The truth will set you free.”(Jn 8:32)  “I am the Way the Truth and the Life.”(Jn 14:6)  “Walk humbly with your God.”  (Mi 6:8)

(Reprinted with permission from the “Catholic Times” October 2008)