Sister Jane Coles, CDP
February 4, 1928 – April 13, 2020
Sister Jane (formerly known as Sister Alice Ann) Coles, CDP, entered eternal life on April 13, 2020 at the age of 92. She was the youngest of four, born to Albert Edward Coles and Leona A. Stevens. Sister Jane was born February 4, 1928 in Houston, Texas. She professed first vows as a Sister of Divine Providence on June 22, 1951. Three months later she began teaching at the Congregation of Divine Providence’s newly established Catholic high school for all girls – Providence High School in San Antonio, Texas. In 1956 she began her 39-year career as an English professor at Our Lady of the Lake College/University. Sister Jane cherished her lifelong role as an educator.
Before entering the convent, Sister Jane earned a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology with a minor in Philosophy from Our Lady of the Lake College, San Antonio, Texas. She later earned a Master of Journalism from the University of Texas in Austin and also attended Catholic University in Washington, D.C. where she earned a Master of Arts in British Literature.
Sister Jane was a thorough and caring educator who inspired her colleagues and students. Her dedication, organizational skills and attention to details inspired many. Her teaching style of respect and deep understanding that she was learning along with her students established her as an example to follow. She was named a Piper Professor in 1979, named Professor Emeritus in 2002 and was recognized numerous times at Our Lady of the Lake University as a Teacher of Excellence. Yet her fondest reward until the end of her days was the long-term relationships held with many of her former students.
She served on the Board of Trustees of Our Lady of the Lake (OLLU) and Providence High School. She served on her congregation’s leadership team and as its Communications Director for nine years. She authored, compiled and edited a variety of documents for the Congregation of Divine Providence (CDP), including its new constitution, and The Tattered Heart, authored by a fellow Sister of Divine Providence. She greatly admired the continual and gradual changes made by the CDP’s to address the signs of the times and OLLU’s leading edge mission to open the doors to a greater diversity of students. As her life attested, education is a path to fulfill the mission of Jesus.
She is survived by her cousin Carole Mattingly, and all her Sisters of Divine Providence. She was preceded in death by her parents Albert Edward Coles and Leona A. Stevens and siblings: Sister Catherine Coles, OP, Father Edward Thomas Coles, SJ and Alice Ann Coles who passed a day after her 10th birthday.
Due to the current circumstances surrounding COVID-19 a rosary followed by sharing of memories, then her burial will take place privately. A Memorial Mass will take place at a later date when her whole community can gather to celebrate her life.
In lieu of flowers, you may wish to make a memorial contribution to the Sisters of Divine Providence, 515 S.W. 24th Street, San Antonio, Texas 78207-4619.
Obituary (pdf)