Sister Linda Lanighan

Sister Linda Lanighan (Sister Mary James) began her life May 2, 1943 in Lockport, New York. The daughter of James and Mildred Erie Lanighan. She was preceded in death by her siblings: Rosemary, James and Eugene. Until the end, visits with her sister Patricia and her friend Nancy remained one of the highlights of Sr. Linda’s life. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews. She died on March 8, 2024 at the Sisters of St. Joseph’s residence in Clarence.

After completing secondary school at DeSales Catholic High School, she entered the Sisters of Saint Mary of Namur in the fall of 1962 and made her final profession April 23, 1973. She received her B.S. in education from Medaille College in 1971. She taught the youngest children in kindergarten and first grade, at St. John School in Kenmore, often being delegated to teach reading. This ability to work with the youngest continued at St. Mary in Lockport, St. Ann in Florence, South Carolina and St. Ann in Kingstree, South Carolina. However, in 1978 she returned to Florence in a different role, working at St. Ann’s Parish and combining this with hospital visitation. It was the beginning of a change in direction. She later worked the Sisters’ infirmary at Mount St. Mary, was pastoral assistant at Sr. John, Kenmore, and at St. Paul, Kenmore. Although Sr. Linda seemed to be naturally gifted in dealing with the sick, she took many courses to help her understand their problems and needs: hospice care, organ donation, coping with life, and a number of pastoral care programs. She studied these at hospitals, Niagara University, Notre Dame University and
Aquinas Institute. As Sister Linda grew older, she grew even closer to the people and patients she served. Her Christmas mailing list was over one hundred cards, most going to elderly people, many of whom lived alone. She often purchased gifts for all those she visited. When it became harder for her to visit, she used the telephone to communicate with shut-ins and older people in general. She remembered all of these people in her daily prayer. Sister Linda’s life was a story of dealing with the most vulnerable of God’s family; she chose the youngest and the oldest and the ones who were ill and dying. She always directed her attention to those who needed her most.

A visitation will be held on Sunday, March 10th, from 2pm - 4pm at Sisters of St. Joseph, 4975 Strickler Road, Clarence, NY 14031. Visitation will be held on March 11th, from 2pm - 5pm at Sisters of St. Mary of Namur, 245 Lafayette Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14213. A Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 7pm. 

Donations in Sister Linda’s memory may be made to the Sisters of St. Mary of Namur at 241 Lafayette Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14213.

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