Obituary

 

Sister M. Juan LaBarr, IHM

Sister M. Juan LaBarr, IHM, of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary died on Sunday, May 26, 1996 at the Marian Convent in Scranton, Pennsylvania.

She was born on May 2, 1913 in Peckville, Pennsylvania, and given the name Ann Marie. She was the daughter of the late Harry Haywood and Kathryn Murphy LaBarr.  She entered the IHM Congregation on September 8, 1932, received the religious habit in April of 1933, and made profession of her vows in August of 1935. 

Sister Juan served as a teacher at the following schools: St. John Elementary School in Cresson, PA; St. Patrick  Elementary Schoolin Spangler, PA; St. Rita Elementary School in Baltimore, MD; Our Lady of Perpetual Help Elementary School in Rocky Mount, NC; Epiphany Elementary School in Sayre, PA; St. Rose Elementary School in Carbondale, PA; St. Paul Elementary School in Cranston, RI; St. Mary Elementary School in Manhasset, NY; St. Joseph Elementary School in Danville, PA; Monsignor McHugh  Elementary School in Cresco, PA; St. Mary of Mt. Carmel Elementary School in Dunmore, PA; and Our Lady of Peace Elementary School in Clark's Green, PA.

From 1990 until the time of her death, Sister Juan served as a prayer minister at the Marian Convent.

She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in education, and a Master of Science degree in education, both from Marywood College.

She is survived by two sisters, Mary Ann Altier of Archbald, PA, and Patricia Verheyen of Drexel Hill, PA, and a brother, Harry of Philadephia, PA, nieces and nephews.

Interment is at St. Catherine’s Cemetery in Moscow, PA. 

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.


Archival remembrance:

While stretching young minds in the education ministry for 55 years, Sr. Juan LaBarr moved the hearts of thousands of students by also teaching that love of God includes service of one's neighbor.  Service was an ideal that Sr. Juan always converted into action. Even while in prayer ministry at the Marian Convent, where she served since 1990, she was a faithful senior companion to many of the sisters, accompanying several on their journey to eternal life.