Sister Louise Marie Leonard, IHM
Sister Louise Marie Leonard, IHM, of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary died on Monday, August 10, 1998, at the Marian Community Hospital in Carbondale, Pennsylvania.
She was born on January 12, 1910 in Mayfield, Pennsylvania, and given the name Antoinette. She was the daughter of the late Matthew and Grace Rapoch Leonard. She entered the IHM Congregation on September 24, 1927, made her temporary profession of vows on December 27, 1929, and her final profession of vows on August 1, 1933.
Sister Louise Marie served as a teacher and librarian in the following schools: St. Patrick Elementary School in Scranton, PA, from 1929 to 1933; St. Ann Elementary School in Scranton, PA, from 1939 to 1946; St. Bernard Elementary School in Hastings, PA; Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Elementary School in Altoona, PA; Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Elementary School in Barnesboro, PA; St. Joseph Elementary School in Renovo, PA Most Holy Rosary Elementary School in Syracuse, NY; as well as elementary schools located in Pittsburgh, PA, and LaPlata, MD.
Sister also served as a volunteer on the Onondago Indian Reservation located just south of Syracuse, NY; nurse's aide and support staff member at the Marian Convent, from 1973 to 1986; office staff member at St. Ann Media (St. Ann's Parish) in Scranton, PA, from 1992 to 1998; and lector during the annual St. Ann's Novena at St. Ann's Parish in Scranton, PA, from 1992 to 1998. During her later years, she also was actively engaged in a letter-writing ministry to prisoners.
From 1986 to 1992, Sister Louise Marie served in prayer ministry at the Marian Convent.
She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in social studies/English, and a Master of Science degree in library science, both from Marywood College.
She was preceded in death by two sisters, Mary and Stella, and three brothers, Francis, Samuel and Matthew.
She is survived by two sisters, Joya Berry of Childs, PA, and Grace Linsinbigler of Carbondale, PA, two brothers, John and Dominick, both of Jermyn, PA, many nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.
The funeral will be Thursday, August 13 at 10:30 a.m. with Mass of Christian Burial at the Marian Convent, followed by interment at St. Catherine's Cemetery, Moscow. Friends may call at the Marian Convent on Wednesday after 2:00 p.m.
Memorial contributions may be made to support the retired IHM Sisters c/o the IHM Sisters Retirement Fund, IHM Center, 2300 Adams Avenue, Scranton, PA 18509.
Father's name: Matteo "Matthew" Rinaldi Leonard - born in Egypt
Mother's name: Grazia "Grace" Rappoccio (Rapoch) - born in Egypt
