Sister M. Ancilla Buckley, IHM
Sister M. Ancilla Buckley, IHM, of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary died on Thursday, May 8, 1958.
She was born on December 26, 1879 in Susquehanna, Pennsylvania, and given the name Mary. She was the daughter of the late John and Mary Kelly Buckley. She entered the IHM Congregation on February 2, 1887, received the religious habit on July 24, 1897, and made profession of her vows on July 15, 1899.
Sister Ancilla enjoyed many years of teaching in our IHM mission schools, including at St. Joseph School in Williamsport, PA, and St. Leo School in Ashley, PA.
She was preceded in death by two brothers, Herbert and Harry, and two sisters, Margaret A. and Helen V. "Ella" Collier.
She is survived by three brothers, Arthur, John, and Carl, nieces and nephews.
Interment is at St. Catherine’s Cemetery in Moscow, Pennsylvania.
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.
Below is an archival reflection about our Sister M. Ancilla Buckley:
The gentle soul of our beloved Sister M. Ancilla fled from its body of suffering on May eighth. Hers was a long and painful illness. For several years pain and suffering were her constant companions, making great demands on her patience and fortitude; but the gracious cheerful manner which was hers in health was evidenced at all times in her illness. All who visited her were edified by her spirit of submission to God's holy will. No complaint was heard; she had no desire other than to do what God wanted her to do. Gently and graciously she lived, and gently and graciously she left this vale of suffering. God rest her loving soul.
"Saint Leo's Convent in Ashley was opened in September, 1906. Father Hussie, the pastor, built a model parochial school, and in his selection of a teaching community naturally turned to the Sisters of the Immaculate Heart, the teachers of his own boyhood days. Sister M. Edward was superior, with Sister M. Anne, Sister M. William, Sister M. Ancilla, Sister M. Edmund, Sister M. Delphine, Sister M. Benita, and Sister M. Bonaventure as assistants. The formal opening took place Thursday, September 6th, in Saint Leo's Church, with a solemn High Mass..."
Excerpted from The Sisters of the I.H.M.: The Story of The Founding of The Congregation of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary and Their Work In The Scranton Diocese by Sister M. Immaculata Gillespie, IHM, P.J. Kenedy & Sons, NY, 1921, pgs. 337, 388
