Rita Emma Hancock was born in Waverly in Union County, Ky., on December 3, 1923. Her parents were Irvin Hancock Sr., and Jane Catherine Payne Hancock. She was baptized on December 16, 1923, by Father P. J. McNeil. She was confirmed on June 4, 1935, by Most Reverend John A. Floersch.
Rita was born into a large family. Her brothers and sisters include Irvin Jr., Mary Catherine Veatch, John, Sister Jane Irvin, Louise, Father Walter, Ann Collins, Ben and Gertie.
The first school Rita Emma attended was St. Peter School in Waverly, Ky. Rita was educated in both grade and high school by Ursuline Sisters of Mount Saint Joseph. Sisters Mary Gregory, Mary David and Barbara Ann were some of her elementary school teachers; for secondary school at St. Peter High School, Rita named Sisters Joseph Therese, Paul Joseph, Uriel, Patrice and Elizabeth Marie. The Ursulines were influential in her vocation choice. The little information in her file about her school years in Waverly stated that she was a good student.
On February 2, 1942, Rita entered the novitiate of Mount Saint Joseph. She entered with Sisters Maura Buckler, Rose Marie Craycroft, Mary Philip Doll, Marie Julie Fecher. Bertha Marie Nally, Francella Neville, Camilla Riggs, Dolorita Robinson, and Jean Richard Stukenholtz. Rita received the habit on August 14, 1942, and received her mother’s name of Jane for one of her names. Sister Jane Miriam made her first vows on August 15, 1944, and made final profession on August 15, 1947. Immediately after Sister had made her first vows, she began her educational ministry at St. Peter of Alcantara School in Stanley, Ky. What followed was a list of Kentucky schools comparable to the Litany of Saints — Sts. Joseph and Paul in Owensboro, St. Sebastian in Calhoun, St. Brigid in Vine Grove, St. Joseph High School in Mayfield twice, St. Margaret Mary in Lyndon twice, Holy Cross in Holy Cross, St. Peter of Alcantara again, St. Pius Tenth school in Owensboro and then she was off to Marion County from 1969 to 1994. After leaving Marion County schools, she substituted in Owensboro Catholic Schools until she retired to the Mount in 2002.
Sister began her own educational career in the summer on 1944. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Ursuline College in Louisville in 1967 and her Master of Arts in education (History) from Spalding University in 1974. It was interesting to see some of the classes she took — genetics, histological technique, calculus, great books 1,2,3,4 and embryology. Sister was certified to teach elementary school and high school. She had a major in history and a minor in biology.
Sister Jane Miriam was a good teacher. Some of her peers were very complimentary in their evaluations of her. Sister loved her students and was an avid supporter of the students in their extracurricular activities — baseball, basketball, etc. She taught many different classes but perhaps she is best known for her teaching of biology the many years in Marion County.
In addition to Sister Jane Miriam’s love for teaching, she was also noted for her selling of raffle tickets for the Mount Picnic for the retirement fund for the Sisters. She traveled to many places and was so well know that in some areas when the residents saw her coming, they just pulled out their wallets and said ?how much?” After Sister was not able to travel, she sent out letters to family and friends requesting their support. She promised prayers for them all and sent thank you notes to all who bought tickets.
Sister Jane Miriam answered God’s call on April 6, 2017. The funeral Mass was Monday, April 10, at 10:30 a.m. at Mount Saint Joseph Chapel.