Sister Mary Laurena Cullen, IHM

Sister Mary Laurena Cullen, IHM, of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, died Saturday, August 24, 1985, at the Marian Convent in Scranton, Pennsylvania, after an illness.

She was born on August 2, 1918 in New Albany, Pennsylvania, and given the name Rita Angela. She was the daugther of the late Lawrence and Agnes Leahy Cullen. She entered the IHM Congregation on September 8, 1936, received the religious habit on May 3, 1937, and made profession of her vows on May 8, 1939.

Sister Mary Laurena served as a teacher of primary and intermediate grades at the following schools: Most Holy Rosary School in Syracuse, NY; Epiphany School in Sayre, PA; Immaculate Conception (Chapel) Elementary School in Scranton, PA; as well as schools located in Brooklyn and Forest Hills, NY and Washington, NC.

More recently, Sister Laurena taught high school art and history at St. Rosalia High School in Pittsburgh, PA, and at St. Dominic High School in Oyster Bay, NY. 

From 1983 until the time of her death, Sister Mary Laurena served as a prayer minister at the Marian Convent.

She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Marywood College, and a Master of Fine Arts degree from Catholic University.  Her art work has been shown in public exhibitions, and she has also merited awards for her poetry.

She is preceded in death by a brother, Patrick.

She is survived by five brothers, Francis of Kenmore, NY, James, Dushore, PA, John of Lockport, NY, Lawrence of Owego, NY, Joseph of New Albany, PA, and several nieces and nephews. 

The funeral will be Wednesday, August 28 with Mass of Christian Burial at 9:30 a.m. in the Marian Convent Chapel. Interment will be in the family plot at Sts. Philip and James Church Cemetery in Overton, PA. Friends may call at the Marian Convent Tuesday afternoon or evening.   

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.