Obituary

 

Sister M. Francita Reddon, IHM

Sister M. Francita Reddon, IHM, of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary died on Tuesday, January 3, 2006, at the Marian Community Hospital in Carbondale, Pennsylvania.

Daughter of the late Frank J. and Clara Montgomery Reddon, she was born on March 25, 1918 in Susquehanna, Pennsylvania, and given the name Mary.  She entered the IHM Congregation on September 8, 1936, made her temporary profession of vows on May 8, 1939, and her final profession of vows on August 2, 1942.

Sister Francita served as a teacher and librarian at the following schools: St. Mary of Mount Carmel Elementary School in Dunmore, PA, from 1944 to 1945; Holy Rosary Elementary School in Scranton, PA, from 1945 to 1949; St. Mary High School in Manhasset, NY, in the early 1950s; South Catholic High School in Scranton, PA, from 1957 to 1958; Bishop Guilfoyle High School in Altoona, PA, from 1963 to 1967; Bishop Hannon High School in Scranton, PA, from 1974 to 1987; Pocono Central Catholic High School in Cresco, PA, from 1987 to 1988; Bishop O’Hara High School in Dunmore, PA, from 1988 to 1994; St. Dominic in Oyster Bay, NY; St. Peter of Alcantara in Port Washington, NY; andSt. Paul in Cranston, RI; as well as schools located in Forest Hills, NY.

She also served on the support staff at the IHM Center in Scranton, PA, from 1994 to 1998.

From 1998 until the time of her death, she was a prayer minister at the Marian Convent in Scranton, PA.

She received a Bachelor of Arts degree in education and a Bachelor of Science degree in library science, both from Marywood College; as well as a Master of Arts degree in political science from Villanova University.

She was preceded in death by a sister, Sister M. Clarice, IHM, and an aunt, Sister Helen Marie Reddon, IHM.

She is survived by a brother, Robert of Susquehanna, PA; a sister, Elizabeth O'Malley of Montrose, PA; nieces and nephews.

The funeral will be Saturday, January 7 at 9:00 a.m. with Mass of Christian Burial at the IHM Center, 2300 Adams Avenue in Scranton followed by interment at St. Catherine's Cemetery, Moscow. Friends may call at the IHM Center on Friday, January 6, between 3:00 p.m. and 8:00 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.


Reprinted from "In Memoriam" section of Journey, Winter 2006 issue  
 
Sr. M. Francita Reddon was born on the feast of the Annunciation and, as seems fitting, was given the name Mary. She entered the Sisters of IHM at the end of her freshman year at Marywood College. During her years in religious life, most people remember her as quiet, reserved, and very intelligent. She is also remembered as being meticulous in all she did. She proved this while still a novice in her work as sacristan at the
motherhouse chapel and later in her “careful and detailed library work.”

Sisters who have lived with her describe her as not only dedicated to her inner prayer life but generous in reaching out to others as well, such as giving up summers to update the library at St. Pius X Seminary.

Sister is probably remembered most for her faithfulness to family, especially caring for her mother who spent many years in a nursing home, to friends and to students to whom she passed on her high ideals.

In her years in prayer ministry, her life became less hurried and she took the opportunity to enjoy nature walks around the campus, deepening her prayer life by communing with her God.

by Sr. M. St. Anthony Radzikowski, IHM