Sister Maria Benedict Russell, IHM

Sister Maria Benedict Russell, IHM, of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary died on September 19, 1976 at St. Rita Convent in Dundalk, Maryland.

She was born on December 15, 1910  in Pittston, Pennsylvania; and given the name Emma Clara.  She was the daughter of the late James and Clara Reiser Russell.  She entered the IHM Congregation on August 14, 1926, received the religious habit on December 29, 1926, and professed her vows on January 2, 1929.

Sister Maria Benedict served as a teacher in the following schools: St. Joseph in Danville, in 1929; Our Lady Queen of Martyrs in Forest Hills, NY, from 1929 to 1943; St. Raymond in Lynbrook, NY, from 1943 to 1946; St. Mary in Manhasset, NY, from 1946 to 1949; St. Ephrem in Brooklyn, NY, from 1949 to 1960; St. Paul in Edgewood, RI, from 1960 to 1962; Most Holy Rosary in Syracuse, NY, from 1962 to 1964; St. Anthony in Portland, OR, from 1964 to 1968; and Our Lady of Mercy in Forest Hills, NY, from 1968 to 1970.

From 1970 until the time of her death, Sister Maria Benedict served as a teacher at St. Rita in Dundalk, MD.

Interment will be follow the Mass of Christian Burial 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.