Sister Jacqueline Marie Kieslich (Sr. Marie), RSM, 83, of the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas, died at Gardenview Community, Converse Home, in Burlington, Vt., on October 20, 2025, in her 61st year of religious life.
Sr. Marie was born in Burlington, Vt., on August 15, 1942, the daughter of Lucille (Audette) and Albert J. Kieslich. She was a graduate of Mount Saint Mary Academy and received her BS in sociology from Trinity College in Burlington, Vt.; MA in special education from the University of Oregon; and PhD in higher and adult education from the University of Maryland.
Sr. Marie entered the Sisters of Mercy on September 8, 1964, and professed her vows on August 15, 1967.
She taught in elementary schools at Mater Christi and Christ the King in Burlington, Vt., and St. Mary’s School in Middlebury, Vt.; and in higher education at Trinity College, where she ministered for several years. She also served as director of Special Religious Education for the Diocese of Burlington. Sr. Marie was instrumental in establishing Special Religious Education Programs throughout the Diocese, traveling often at night to parishes throughout Vermont.
Along with Sister Janice Ryan, Sr. Marie established the Special Religious Education (SPRED) Program, providing religious formation for numerous children with special needs, in an inaugural program at Trinity College involving college students from Trinity College and Saint Michael’s College.
Sr. Marie served on several boards, including Mercy Connections, Mater Christi School, Saint Michael’s College, Salve Regina University, Burlington Community Land Trust, Vermont Catholic Charities and Mercy Higher Education Colloquium.
While at Trinity College she was chair of the Education Department and academic dean and was appointed president by the Board of Trustees of Trinity College. While president, Sr. Marie, her administrative team and the Board of Trustees had the responsibility of closing Trinity College of Vermont and selling the Trinity College campus to the University of Vermont, and of facilitating the transition of the Trinity students and records.
Following her tenure at Trinity College, Sr. Marie was appointed by the Sisters of Mercy as cochair of the “Integration Team for the Reimagining and Reconfiguration Process” of the Institute of the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas. In 2006 she was elected as a member of the leadership team of the former Northeast Community for eight years, and in 2014 she was elected as president of the Northeast Leadership Team and served generously for four more years.
Sr. Marie will be remembered for her love of nature, visits to art museums, travel and music; her love and dedication for her family and friends; and her winning smile.
Sr. Marie is survived by her Sisters in Religion, the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas; her brother James (Judy) Kieslich of Peru, N.H.; nephews Jeffery (Sarah) Kieslich of Milton and Gregory (Christina) Kieslich of Jericho; niece Nicole (Michael) Olzinski of Connecticut; grandnieces Ryleigh and Alexis Olzinski, Haley Moulton, Taylor Kieslich, and Charlotte and Mabel Kieslich; grandnephew Corbin Kieslich; and several cousins, including Marcelle (Thomas) Lasher.
She was predeceased by her parents, Lucille and Albert Kieslich, and her brother Richard (Dick) Kieslich.
Our prayers and deepest gratitude to the caring staff at Converse Home, the Gardenview memory care community, and the University of Vermont Home Health and Hospice Team.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, November 1, 2025, at 11 a.m., in the Sacred Heart Chapel at Mater Christi School (former Mount Saint Mary Convent), 100 Mansfield Avenue, Burlington, Vt., with visiting hours from 9:30 to 11 a.m., and burial will follow the funeral in the Mount Saint Mary Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Sisters of Mercy in support of their ministerial works, Attn: Sister Laura Della Santa, 356 Mountain View Drive, Suite 101, Colchester, VT 05446.
Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Ready Funeral and Cremation Services. To send online condolences, please visit readyfuneral.com.