Obituary

 

Sister M. Clare Flanagan, IHM

Sister M. Clare Flanagan, IHM, (formerly known as Sister M. St. Clare) of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary died on Monday, February 3, 1997 at the Marian Convent in Scranton, Pennsylvania.

She was born on September 22, 1896 in Athens, Pennsylvania, and given the name Leona Alice. She was the daughter of the late James and Mary Clohessy Flanagan. She entered the IHM Congregation on August 14, 1922, made temporary profession of her vows on December 29, 1924, and final profession of her vows on December 8, 1930. 

At Marywood College in Scranton, PA, Sister Clare was a member of the summer music faculty from 1927 to 1933, and from 1946 to 1969. She was a renowned music educator, and served as the first president and state organizer of the Pennsylvania unit of the National Catholic Music Educators Association from 1944 to 1951. She also conducted national workshops for this association, as well as for various congregations of women religious, throughout the United States.

Sister Clare served as a music teacher in the following schools: St. Leo School in Ashley, PA, from 1926 to 1927; St. John the Evangelist School in Pittston, PA, from 1929 to 1931; St. Paul School in Scranton, PA, from 1931 to 1934; Holy Rosary School in Scranton, PA, from 1934 to 1936; Cathedral Elementary School in Scranton, PA, from 1936 to 1940; St. Patrick School in Scranton, PA, from 1940 to 1941; St. Peter of Alcantara Elementary School in Port Washington, NY; St. Mary School in Goldsboro, NC. She also served at schools located in Brooklyn and NY, Baltimore and Silver Spring, MD, Bridgeport, CT, and Pittsburgh, PA.

From 1981 until the time of her death, Sister Clare served as a prayer minister at the Marian Convent.

She received a Bachelor of Music degree from Marywood College in 1929, a Master of Arts degree in music from Columbia University in 1942, and completed further study at Manhattanville-Pius X School of Music, Chicago Musical College, Detroit Conservatory and the Julliard School of Music.

She was preceded in death by two sisters, Catherine (Cathryne) Coleman and Delores Waples, and a brother, James.

She is survived by nieces, Maureen Coleman, Sr. Annine Waples and Marie Waples, and nephews, Edward Coleman and Michael Waples. 

The funeral will be Thursday at 10:30 a.m. with Mass of Christian Burial at the Marian Convent, followed by interment at St. Catherine's Cemetery, Moscow. Friends may call at the Marian Convent on Wednesday after 2:00 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.