Sister M. Armella Nelson, IHM

Sister M. Armella Nelson, IHM, of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, died on Saturday, January 9, 1988 at St. Joseph's Hospital in Carbondale, Pennsylvania, after an illness.

She was born on May 22, 1904 in Hastings, Pennsylvania, and given the name Martha. She was the daughter of the late Thomas J. and Mary Angert Nelson. She entered the IHM Congregation on July 2, 1921, received the religious habit on December 29, 1921, and made profession of her vows on December 27, 1923.

Sister Armella served as a music and junior high teacher at the following schools: St. Cecilia Academy in Scranton; St. John the Evangelist Elementary School in Scranton, PA; St. Ann Elementary School in Scranton, PA; St. Thomas Aquinas Elementary School in Archbald, PA; St. Cecilia Elementary School in Exeter, PA; as well as at schools located in Pittsburgh and Susquehanna, PA.

Sister served as principal at St. Patrick Elementary School in Spangler, PA; St. Joseph Elementary School in Danville, PA; and at an elementary school located in Lock Haven, PA.

From 1979 until the time of her death, Sister Armella served as a prayer minister at the Marian Convent in Scranton.

She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in math/science and a Master of Arts degree in librarianship, both from Marywood College.

She is preceded in death by a brother, Clarence.

She is survived by three sisters, Florence Yeager, Mary Burley, both of Hastings, PA, and Margaret Miskovich of Ebensburg, PA, a brother, Thomas J. of Harper Woods, Michigan, and several nieces and nephews. 

The funeral will be Tuesday with Mass of Christian Burial at 11:30 a.m. in the Marian Convent Chapel with interment to follow at St. Catherine's Cemetery, Moscow, Pennsylvania. Friends may call at the Marian Convent Monday 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.