Posted November 16, 2021

Sister Janet Baker, R.S.M., formerly known as Sister Marie Thaddeus, died Nov. 10 at Lankenau Hospital, Wynnewood. She was 83.

She attended Catholic schools in Philadelphia, graduating from West Catholic High School for Girls in 1956.

Sister Janet taught for many years in elementary and secondary schools in the Philadelphia Archdiocese including Archbishop Prendergast, Archbishop Ryan, Bishop Conwell and Bishop McDevitt High School. She was loved and much appreciated by students and faculty alike.

In 1985 she completed a PhD in Education Administration-Higher Education and went from being a teacher at Gwynedd Mercy College to an administrator and director of planning.

Her ministry expanded to include consultant to religious communities and schools, and for many years she was an assistant director for the archdiocesan synod in Philadelphia. She followed that by more years working as a trusted group facilitator across the archdiocese.

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Through her association with Dr. Thomas Check, a local dentist and friend, Sister Janet accompanied him when he traveled to Jamaica to perform procedures. It was there she met with Sister Susan Frazer, R.S.M., and for years worked with her doing administrative and consulting work with educational institutions in Jamaica.

Closer to home Sister Janet worked with Sister Christine Kavanagh, R.S.M. as a facilitator, conference leader and consultant for Refocus in Providence, R.I. These partnerships and friendships stretched over 30 years.

Sister Janet was well known and loved in her parish, Mary Mother of the Redeemer in North Wales, where she generously shared her gifts by conducting sessions on spirituality and communication.

Sister Janet spread her love of God and the charism of Mercy to all she met, and especially her two sisters, June and Ann.

The funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 18 at the Convent of Mercy, 515 Montgomery Avenue in Merion. Visitation will precede the Mass beginning at 9 a.m. Masks will be required for all those in attendance.

Burial at the Convent of Mercy Cemetery will follow the liturgy.

On Wednesday, Nov. 17 there will be an occasion for prayer and storytelling via Zoom at 4 p.m. Anyone interested in sharing a story about Sister Janet should contact Sister Anne Kappler at akappler@sistersofmercy.org or 267-230-3475. The Zoom link will be emailed on Wednesday morning, Nov. 17.