Sister M. Gerard Manning, IHM
Sister M. Gerard Manning, IHM, (formerly known as Sister M. Joseph Gerard) of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary died on Saturday, September 12, 2009 at Our Lady of Peace Residence in Scranton, PA.
She was born on June 19, 1911, in Brooklyn, NY, and given the name Hester. She was the daughter of the late Michael J. and Hester Mullady Manning. She entered the IHM Congregation on February 2, 1930, made temporary profession of her vows on August 2, 1932, and final profession of her vows on August 1, 1935.
Sister Gerard was an elementary math and English teacher serving at the following schools: St. Raymond Elementary School in East Rockaway, NY from 1932 to 1944 and 1956 to 1961; St. Mary Elementary School in Manhasset, NY from 1944 to 1948; Most Holy Rosary Elementary School in Syracuse, NY from 1948 to 1951; St. Peter of Alcantara Elementary School in Port Washington, NY from 1951 to 1954 and 1961 to 1963; Our Lady Queen of Martyrs Elementary School in Forest Hills, NY from 1963 to 1968; St. Alphonsus High School in New York, NY from 1954 to 1961 and 1972 to 1976; and St. Raphael Elementary School in Saint Petersburg, FL from 1976 to 1982.
Sister Gerard also served on the support staff at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Carbondale, PA from 1982 to 1983; and was the founding director of the Marian Convent Guild, at the Marian Convent in Scranton, which she served on from 1983 to 1996.
From 1996 until the time of her death, Sister Gerard served as a prayer minister at the Marian Convent and Our Lady of Peace Residence, both in Scranton, PA.
She received a Bachelor of Science degree in business education from Marywood College.
She was preceded in death by two sisters, Helen Kelly and Margaret (Peg) Spires, and two brothers, Reverend Gerard and Joseph.
She is survived by nieces and nephews.
The funeral will be Wednesday, September 16, at 11:00 a.m. with Mass of Christian Burial at Our Lady of Peace Residence, 2300 Adams Avenue, Scranton. Interment will be at St. Catherine's Cemetery, Moscow. Friends may call at Our Lady of Peace Residence on Tuesday, September 15, between 3:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. A prayer service will be held at 4:30 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, Spring 2010 issue
Sister (Joseph) Gerard Manning, daughter of the late Michael J. and Hester Mullady Manning was one of five children: two brothers, Fr. Gerard and Joseph and two sisters, Helen Kelly and Peg Spires. She was a member of St. Ephrem’s Parish, Brooklyn, NY where she attended school and first met the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
Coming to the congregation in February 1930, she soon found herself in the classroom where she taught in several elementary schools throughout New York State as well as St. Petersburg, FL. In addition, she served as a business teacher at St. Alphonsus High School in New York City in the 1950s and again in 1970s.
Sister Gerard was a very successful teacher. She loved her students and they, in turn, loved her and were very faithful to her, grateful for having had one of the congregation’s finest teachers.
After leaving the classroom, Sister Gerard worked as a member of the office staff at St. Joseph’s Hospital, (now Marian Community) in Carbondale. Later, she was appointed the founding director of the Marian Convent Guild, serving with many family members and friends of the IHM Congregation to assist the retired members of the congregation at the Marian Convent.
Sister Gerard’s friendly smile and outgoing personality won her many friends throughout the years. Many of her former students/friends are some of the congregation’s greatest supporters. Having been called home by a loving God on September 12, 2009, Sister Gerard, it can be said, enjoyed her life here on earth. Those who knew her well enjoyed her company and her many stories, and have expressed many times that they are better people for having known and loved Sister Gerard Manning.
by Janet Jeffers, IHM
