MARIETTA--Jane Kreinest, a pioneer of Holy Family Parish, died this January after a battle with cancer. She was 65.

She began as a parish volunteer in 1973-74 under the founding pastor of the parish, the late Father John Mulroy. When the first director of religious education was hired, she became the secretary for religious education for one year and then, since the parish continued to grow, she became the elementary school religious education coordinator in 1975 and served in that capacity for the next five years.

In 1980 she became the director of religious education and remained in that position under three pastors, Father Mulroy, Father Richard Kieran and Father Paul Fogarty, until she retired in 1990.

But Jane could not stay away from the parish for too long. She came out of retirement in August 1991 to take over as parish secretary for Father Fogarty and then for the current pastor, Father Ed Thein. In July 1995 her husband, Dick, finally persuaded her to truly retire in order to travel with him. Sadly while on their first trip as a couple Dick died of a heart attack.

Along with all the work she died as a parish employee, Jane also was generous with her many other talents. An excellent seamstress, she made beautiful table skirts for parish social events and maternity clothes she donated to crisis pregnancy centers. She donated typing skills at the religious education office and for the Atlanta Archdiocesan Council of Catholic Women.

Her greatest gift was organization and attention to detail. Those who worked with her and for her when she was director of religious education lovingly referred to her as "mother superior" because she was always available with a smile and a listening ear whether staff went to her with personal or professional problems. Each person knew that she cared.

She is survived by her four daughters, Barbara, Sally, Peggy and Debbie. She will be greatly missed by her many friends at Holy Family who know that she remains with the community in spirit. Father Fogarty was the principal celebrant of her funeral Mass, which was concelebrated by other priests of the archdiocese.

This article was written by the staff at Holy Family Parish.