Sister Mary Kenneth Lane, CSJ – a Sister of St. Joseph for 79 years, died on Feb. 10 at Maria Regina Residence, Brentwood.

She was 96 years old. Born Mary Elizabeth to Jay and Ellen Lane, she grew up in Our Lady of Lourdes parish, Queens Village, and attended elementary school there.

After graduating from The Mary Louis Academy, she entered the Sisters of St. Joseph and was given her brother’s name, Kenneth, when she received the habit a year later.

In the next 27 years, she taught in 10 different elementary schools in the dioceses of Brooklyn and Rockville Centre. These included Our Lady of Perpetual Help, St. Pascal Baylon, St. Mary, Mother of Jesus, St. Athanasius, St. Thomas Aquinas, Ss. Cyril and Methodius, Mary’s Nativity, Blessed Sacrament, St. Bernard, and St. Vincent DePaul.

In her warm and caring way, children in grades one through seven and their families were taught about a loving and caring God, Who would be part of their lives forever. Her next response to God’s call was to serve as a nurse’s aide in Mercy Hospital, being present to those who were helpless and needy.

During these years, Sister Mary received a BA in History at St. Francis College and a BA in History from Hofstra University. Earning a Master’s in Library Science and Certification as Media Specialist from St. John’s University changed the direction of her life and led her into the world of books and growing technological advancements.

In her calm and reassuring manner, she served as librarian and “go-to” person for students and faculty at Bishop Kearney High School and Our Lady of Perpetual Help High School. In 1992, she arrived at St. Francis Prep, where she would spend the next 19 years.

Father William Sweeney celebrated the Mass of Christian Burial for Sister Mary on Feb. 16 in Sacred Heart Chapel, Brentwood. Her burial followed in Calvary Cemetery, Brentwood.