Sister M. Edwardine Travers, IHM
Sister M. Edwardine Travers, IHM, of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary died on Friday, April 17, 2009 at Our Lady of Peace Residence in Scranton, PA.
She was born on November 22, 1914 in Syracuse, NY, and given the name Marie Eunice. She was the daughter of the late John and Mabelle C. Stilbert Travers. She entered the IHM Congregation on September 7, 1934, made her temporary profession of vows on May 3, 1937, and final profession of her vows on August 1, 1940.
Sister Edwardine was a teacher serving for more than thirty years in the following schools: Cathedral Elementary School in Scranton, PA, from 1937 to 1942 and 1952 to 1953; Our Lady of Good Counsel Elementary School in Inwood, NY, from 1942 to 1943; St. Joseph Elementary School in New Bern, NC, from 1943 to 1947; Mother of Mercy Elementary School in Washington, NC, from 1947 to 1948; Holy Angels Elementary School in Hayes, PA, from 1948 to 1950; St. Michael’s School for Boys in Hoban Heights, PA, from 1950 to 1951; St. Joseph Elementary School in Danville, PA, from 1951 to 1952; St. Rita Elementary School in Dundalk, MD, from 1953 to 1958; St. Ephrem Elementary School in Brooklyn, NY, from 1958 to 1961; St. Paul Elementary School in Cranston, RI, from 1961 to 1965; St. Peter of Alcantara Elementary School in Port Washington, NY, from 1965 to 1968; and St. Ann Elementary School in Scranton, PA, from 1970 to 1973.
Sister served as a catechetical instructor at Holy Name of Mary Catechetical Center in Montrose, PA, from 1968 to 1969; and St. Ignatius Catechetical Center in Kingston, PA, from 1969 to 1970.
Sister Edwardine also served as an administrative assistant in the following institutions: St. Joseph Hospital in Carbondale, PA, from 1973 to 1975; St. Mary Elementary School in Hollidaysburg, PA, from 1975 to 1977; St. Bernard Elementary School in Hastings, PA, from 1977 to 1982; Marian Convent in Scranton, PA, from 1982 to 1989; and at the IHM Center in Scranton, PA, from 1989 to 1997.
From 1997 until the time of her death, Sister Edwardine served as a prayer minister at the Marian Convent and Our Lady of Peace Residence.
She received a Bachelor of Science in education from Marywood College.
She was preceded in death by a brother, Arliss; and five sisters, Erma Davidson, Arline O’Connor, Dorothy Haley, Genevieve, and Mabelle Clifton.
She is survived by a sister, Doris of Stirner of Syracuse, NY; two nieces, Susan Argese of Tully, NY, and Joan Gold of Weaversville, NC; and a nephew, James of Syracuse, NY.
The funeral will be Wednesday, April 22, at 11:00 a.m. with Mass of Christian Burial at Our Lady of Peace Residence, 2300 Adams Avenue in Scranton. Friends may call at Our Lady of Peace Residence on Tuesday, April 21, between 3:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. A prayer service will be held at 4:30 p.m. Interment will be Wednesday 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.
Reprinted from "In Memoriam" section of Journey, Fall 2009 issue
It has been said by those who knew her well, that just to think of Sister Edwardine could bring a smile to your face. Her contagious smile inspired happiness in the hearts of others and her fun-loving personality witnessed to God’s joyful presence in the world. Behind that smile was a hard-working woman of great loyalty; loyal to her God, her IHM Congregation, her family, her friends and to the city of Syracuse, NY from where she came. The mention of any one of those would evoke a smile on her face.
Sister Edwardine entered the congregation in 1914 from her home in Syracuse where she had lived with her parents, John and Mabelle, one brother and six sisters. Only her sister Doris Travers Stirner remains. Doris shared a close relationship with Sister Edwardine and stayed in frequent contact, gifting her with delicious fudge remembered and enjoyed by many!
Known as a hard worker, Sister Edwardine ministered faithfully over many years teaching in numerous schools in Pennsylvania, New York, Maryland, North Carolina and Rhode Island. She worked tirelessly at St. Michael’s School in Hoban Heights. After more than thirty-five years in the classroom, Sister Edwardine moved to a role of administrative assistant, faithfully serving in several places including St. Joseph’s Hospital, the Marian Convent and the IHM Center. Some twenty-five years later, Sister Edwardine moved into full-time prayer ministry.
Sister Edwardine loved community celebrations and enjoyed contributing her sister’s homemade fudge and other delicacies to the festivities. One favorite of hers was tootsie rolls, clearly her treat of choice.
Until her final day, Sister Edwardine responded to her sisters and friends with that beautiful smile that flowed out of her deep love for God. We will miss that reminder of God’s all-inclusive love, lived out through the kindness and faithfulness of Sister Edwardine. May we have the courage, O God, to go and do the same for others.
by Friends of Sister Edwardine
