PORTLAND – Sister Jeanne Kelleher RSM, (nee Laura Jeanne), 74 of Washington Avenue, died Friday evening Jan. 7, 2005 at St. Joseph’s Manor after a long illness. She was born in Bangor a daughter of John L. and Laura Sirois Kelleher where she attended St. Mary’s Elementary and was a graduate from John Bapst High School. She also was a graduate from St. Joseph’s College, prior to her entering the Sisters of Mercy, in Portland in 1953. She furthered her education by taking advantage of educational opportunities at Boston College, University of Southern Maine, and Cardinal Cushing College. Her teaching ministry included St. Joseph’s Elementary, St. Joseph’s Academy, Cathedral High School and Junior High School, Portland, St. Joseph’s Elementary School, Lewiston, John Bapst High School, Bangor and was teaching principal in Benedicta. In 1980, Sister Jeanne became the Coordinator of a Retirement/Pre-Retirement and Continual Living Program entitled SURGE. By 1984 she was it’s Director as well as assuming responsibility for all the needs of the Chapel at St. Joseph’s Convent (Motherhouse). During this time she became well known throughout the Portland community for spearheading the Annual SURGE Fair and Valentine party. She was also instrumental in helping a Vietnamese family resettle in the States while maintaining a relationship with them. In 1998 she was asked to add to her ministerial service the role of Assistant Coordinator of the Motherhouse a position she held until her retirement due to ill health. She leaves four sisters; Mrs. Mary Hayes, of Salem, N.H., Mrs. Paula Joy of El Cajon, Calif., Mrs. Anne Matte of Scarborough, Mrs. Theresa Constantine of Bangor; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and her Sisters in community especially Sister Edward Mary Kelleher, her cousin. A Mass of Christian Burial was held Monday, Jan. 10, 2005 at St. Joseph’s Convent Chapel 605 Stevens Ave, Portland. Interment will be in New Calvary Cemetery, South Portland. In lieu of flowers, contributions in her memory may be made to the Retirement Fund, care of Sisters of Mercy, 605 Stevens Avenue, Portland, ME. 04103. Arrangements are by Jones, Rich & Hutchins Funeral Home, 199 Woodford St., Portland.