Sister Jean
Kasko, OSF

June 22, 1934 - May 5, 1987

Sister Jean Kasko, a member of the School Sisters of St. Francis, died on May 5, 1987, in Pittsburgh, Pa. Formerly known as Sister Andrew, she was 52 in her 35th year of religious life.

Jean was born to Andrew and Mary (Melnick) Kasko on June 22, 1934, in McKees Rocks, Pa. She entered our community in 1951 and received the name Sister Mary Andrew, professing first vows in 1952 and final vows in 1957. “She had a great desire to serve God and His people, even in the eighth grade,” one of our Sisters recalls. “She was so positive of her call to the religious life. All things around her didn’t matter; she was willing to give up everything to pursue her vocation to the religious life.”

She began her 35 years in active ministry as a first-grade and CCD teacher in Farrell, Pa., before spending most of the 1950s and 1960s teaching at St. Joseph School and our former St. Francis Academy, both in San Antonio, Texas. There she taught English, history and Spanish, and served as moderator for the school’s newspaper, as well as the speech and drama clubs.

In 1965, Sister Jean began a nine-year tenure at our former Mount Assisi Academy in Pittsburgh, where she taught English, Spanish and history and was involved in many school activities. In 1975, she returned to San Antonio to teach English at SFA until 1982. After spending some time away from the community to care for her ailing parents, Sister Jean taught at St. Patrick’s grade school in Canonsburg, Pa., until February 1987, when she fell ill.

Sister is remembered for her love of learning — which she wanted to impart on her students — and her gentle spirit. “In all my years of friendship and living with Sister Jean, I never once heard her criticize another person,” a Sister recalls. “She always gave others the merciful ‘benefit of the doubt’ and was the most non-judgmental person I have ever known.”

Sister Jean earned a bachelor’s degree in 1963 from Our Lady of the Lake College in San Antonio, Texas; and undertook graduate studies in history at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, Pa., during the 1970s.

Whether she was teaching seniors or first graders, she tried to bring out the best in her students, who loved and respected her for who she was and appreciated her deep love of God. She also had an unwavering allegiance to one of our Sisters who was dying, praying with her and being present with her at death.

In addition to her teaching ministry, Sister served our community as delegate to our Provincial Chapters in 1976 and 1977. Her artistic tastes were reflected in her classroom decorations and in her work as a sacristan. “She took care of the chapel with a delicate care and respect,” another Sister recalls.

She was deeply dedicated to teaching, took personal interest in her students, and strived to “keep up with the latest.” She had a fascination with the Arizona desert and lent her creative talents to helping our academy girls produce tremendous plays.

Says one Sister who was Sister Jean’s student and, later, her colleague in community, “Her deep, reflective spirit added much to my education in high school and offered unique perspective in community life. She lived fully, she loved fully, and she gave her ‘Yes’ to the Lord from the fullness of her heart.”

Sister Jean is buried in St. Francis Cemetery at Mt. Assisi Place in Pittsburgh, Pa.