Sister M. Jeanetta Hughes, IHM
Sister M. Jeanetta Hughes, IHM, of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary died on Thursday, June 21, 2007 at Our Lady of Peace Residence in Scranton, Pennsylvania.
She was born on July 27, 1918 in Scranton, Pennsylvania, and given the name Eleanor. She was the daughter of the late Harry P. and Mary Sweeney Hughes. She entered the IHM Congregation on September 8, 1938, made temporary profession of her vows on May 8, 1941, and final profession of her vows on August 1, 1944.
Sister Jeanetta served as a teacher at the following schools: St. Joseph Elementary School in Renovo, PA, from 1941 to 1942; St. Mary of the Assumption Elementary School in Upper Marlboro, MD, from 1942 to 1943; St. Paul Elementary School in New Bern, NC, from 1943 to 1946; St. Rose Elementary School in Carbondale, PA, from 1946 to 1949; St. John Elementary School in Pittston, from 1949 to 1953; St. Joseph Elementary School in Danville, PA, from 1953 to 1955; St. Bernardine Elementary School in Baltimore, MD, from 1955 to 1956; St. Dominic Elementary School in Oyster Bay, NY, from 1956 to 1959; St. Raymond Elementary School in East Rockaway, NY, from 1959 to 1970; Little Flower Elementary School in Bethesda, MD, from 1970 to 1971; St. Agnes Elementary School in Baltimore, MD, from 1971 to 1977; St. Stephen Elementary School in New York, NY, from 1977 to 1990; Most Holy Rosary Elementary School in Syracuse, NY, from 1990 to 1993; and at St. Patrick Elementary School in Scranton, PA, from 1993 to 1994.
Sister also served as a receptionist at the IHM Center in Scranton, PA, from 1994 to 2002.
From 2002 until the time of her death, Sister Jeanetta served as a prayer minister at the Marian Convent and at Our Lady of Peace Residence, both in Scranton, PA.
She received a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Marywood College.
She was preceded in death by four sisters, Beatrice McKay, Rita McFadden, Mary L. Lenihan and Kathryn Lenihan.
She is survived by a several nieces and nephews, including Margaret McLaughlin of Levittown, PA.
The funeral will be Monday, June 25, at 10:30 a.m. with Mass of Christian Burial at Our Lady of Peace Residence, 2300 Adams Avenue in Scranton. Interment will follow at St. Catherine's Cemetery, Moscow. Friends may call at Our Lady of Peace Residence on Sunday, June 24, between 3:00 p.m. and 7:00 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 2007 issue
A faithful, devoted I.H.M., a loyal, generous friend, a co-worker ever ready to help, a dedicated teacher who loved her students; these are the comments of those who knew and lived with Sister Jeanetta during her years of ministry. Sister Jeanetta was born in Scranton and grew up in St. Patrick's parish. She attended St. Patrick's Elementary and Secondary Schools and often recalled her happy experiences there. After twelve years under the guidance of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, her thoughts turned to the possibility of becoming one of them. The thought became a reality on September 8, 1938 when she entered the Novitiate of the Sisters of I.H.M. at Marywood. After first vows on May 8, 1941, Sister commenced her teaching career which took her as far south as North Caroline and as far north as Syracuse, NY over a span of five decades.
A Sister who lived with Sister Jeanetta in NYC recalled that she had introduced her to the NY subway system and taught her how to get up-town, down-town and cross-town without ever getting lost! Jeanetta enjoyed shopping in New York on Barclay Street, especially during the Christmas season. It was always an adventure to find the little paper Christmas cribs that the children loved. Lunch at the Charleston Gardens in B. Altman's was often part of the shopping trip. Sister Jeanetta was a regular attendant at the retreat days conducted by the Franciscans at St. Francis Church on 31st street.
When health began to cause problems, Sister Jeanetta undertook a new role as receptionist at the I.H.M. Center where she a welcoming presence to all. Increasing health problems caused a change to prayer ministry which she gladly embraced at the Marian Convent. Sister Jeanetta was a joy to be with, always full of kindness and generosity, always ready for fun and laughter.
Dear Friend, please remember those of us who are still struggling on our homeward boundary.
by Sister Selina Malone, IHM
