Sister M. Amabilis Conlan, IHM
Sister M. Amabilis Conlan, IHM, of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary died on Friday, July 26, 1963 at the IHM Novitiate in Scranton, Pennsylvania.
She was born on September 2, 1882 in Pittston, Pennsylvania, and given the name Mary Agnes. She was the daughter of the late James Francis and Ann Keating Conlan. She entered the IHM Congregation on May 1, 1909, received the religious habit on December 29, 1909, and made profession of her vows on December 27, 1911.
Sister Amabilis served as a teacher at the following schools: IHM Academy in Coeur d'Alene, ID, from 1912 to 1920; St. Rose Elementary School in Carbondale, PA, from 1920 to 1930; Immaculate Conception Elementary School in Lock Haven, PA, from 1930 to 1931; Immaculate Conception Elementary School in West Pittston, PA, from 1931 to 1933; St. Patrick Elementary School in Olyphant, PA, from 1933 to 1949; and St. Mary of Mt. Carmel Elementary School in Dunmore, PA, from 1949 to 1955.
Sister also served as a catechetical instructor at St. Patrick's Catechetical Center in Milford, from 1955 to 1957.
Beginning in 1957, Sister Amabilis served as a seamstress at the IHM Novitiate in Scranton, PA. She will be remembered fondly by the young novices and junior professed Sisters with whom she resided in the novitiate community.
Interment is at St. Catherine’s Cemetery in Moscow, Pennsylvania.
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.
Archival Reflection:
The name by which our dear Sister Amabilis Conlan was known expressed clearly her very evident virtues. She was truly a loving person, a perfect lady, one whom to know was to love. God blessed her with a beautiful disposition; she was naturally calm, quiet, and serene. She had a real zest for life, but she generously subordinated it to the demands of religion. Her quiet humor blessed many a recreation hour, making her always a delightful companion. Since holiness is the generous acceptance of God's holy will, our beloved Sister Amabilis always exemplified that holiness, the perfection to which she was called. Everything that came from her hands was "a thing of beauty." Her unexpected death was as tranquil as her life. Truly, she had "fallen asleep in the Lord." May her gentle, holy spirit remain long with your community to which she gave her unceasing service and in which she spread around her the sweet odor of sanctity.
