Sister M. Hyacinth Serafini, IHM
Sister M. Hyacinth Serafini, IHM, of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary died on Friday, May 25, 2007 at Our Lady of Peace Residence in Scranton, PA.
She was born on August 27, 1919 in Renovo, and given the name Laura Dolores. She was the daughter of the late Andrew and Mary Rose Bruno Serafini. She entered the IHM Congregation on September 8, 1937, made her temporary profession of vows on May 2, 1940 and final profession of her vows on August 1, 1943.
Sister Hyacinth served as a teacher at the following schools: St. Ephrem Elementary School in Brooklyn, NY, from 1940 to 1944; Our Lady Queen of Martyrs in Forest Hills, NY, from 1944 to 1952; St. Mary of the Mount High School in Pittsburgh, PA, from 1952 to 1957 and 1960 to 1961; Most Holy Rosary High School in Syracuse, NY, from 1957 to 1960; St. Patrick High School in Olyphant, PA, from 1961 to 1967; St. Rose High School in Carbondale, PA, from 1967 to 1973; St. Dominic High School in Oyster Bay, NY, from 1973 to 1974; and St. Mary High School in Manhasset, NY, from 1974 to 1991.
Sister also served on the support staff at the Marian Convent in Scranton, PA, from 1991 to 1992; and was an administrative assistant at the IHM Center in Scranton, PA, from 1992 to 2001.
From 2001 to until the time of her death, Sister Hyacinth served as a prayer minister at the Marian Convent and at Our Lady of Peace Residence, both in Scranton.
She received a Bachelor of Arts degree in education and a Master of Science degree in education, both from Marywood College.
She is survived by two sisters, Rose Conti and Sister Andrea, CSMM, both of Camp Hill, PA; an aunt, Eleanor Ade of Debary, FL; a nephew, Michael Conti of Potomac, MD; and a niece, Karen Bengston of Avondale, PA.
The funeral will be Wednesday, May 30 at 10:30 a.m. with Mass of Christian Burial at Our Lady of Peace Residence, 2300 Adams Avenue in Scranton. Interment will be at St. Catherine's Cemetery, Moscow. Friends may call at Our Lady of Peace Residence on Tuesday, May 29, 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
When God created Sister Hyacinth, He threw away the mold. In the sixty years of our friendship I never heard her say an unkind word about anyone. She saw only goodness and beauty in everyone and all God's creatures. She was a gentle, loving and compassionate woman.
Sister was a dedicated teacher and spent many long hours preparing for her classes and correcting her student's work. She loved her students and was always available to listen and help them. Her students loved her because of her gentleness, kindness and compassion.
Sister had a great love for her family and waited each Saturday for their weekly phone call. She looked forward to her visits home and especially enjoyed playing cards late into the night. She particularly loved her visit in August when the family celebrated Gin and her own birthdays. Gin and Rose loved their sister Laura and always wanted her to come home often and stay longer.
Sister Hyacinth was always available to listen and speak of God's beautiful creation to the sisters with whom she lived, her friends and students. She would make you aware of the beauty in flowers, especially if they were purple. Her favorite color.
Sister had great devotion to Our Lord in the Eucharist and our Blessed Mother, especially the rosary. During her years at the Marian Convent and Our Lady of Peace Residence, she participated in the Divine Mercy Rosary program on TV every afternoon.
Hy, you have touched many lives, especially mine. I thank you for all the gifts and blessings you brought in my life, especially, our many years of a special friendship. You will always have a special place in my heart and prayers. I miss you, but know you are at peace with God.
by Sister M. Jeannine Parry, IHM
