Sister Carolyn Mullen, IHM
Sister Carolyn Mullen, IHM, (formerly known as Sister Mary Carla) of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary died on Wednesday, September 22, 2010 at Our Lady of Peace Residence in Scranton, PA.
She was born on February 11, 1935 in Archbald, PA. She was the daughter of the late Charles and Kathleen Dean Mullen. She entered the IHM Congregation on September 8, 1952, made her temporary profession of vows on August 3, 1955, and her final profession of vows on August 3, 1958.
Sister Carolyn served as a teacher in the following schools: St. Mary Elementary School in Avoca, PA, from 1955 to 1958 and 1963 to 1965; St. Paul Elementary School in Scranton, PA, from 1958 to 1959; St. John the Evangelist Elementary School in Silver Spring, MD, from 1959 to 1963; St. John the Evangelist Elementary School in Binghamton, NY, from 1965 to 1967; St. Ambrose Elementary School in Bridgeport, CT, from 1967 to 1970; and St. Ann Elementary School in Scranton, PA, from 1970 to 1973.
Sister also served as guidance counselor at the following schools: Northeastern Educational Intermediate Unit 19 in Scranton, PA, from 1973 to1975; Bishop Klonowski High School in Scranton, PA, from 1975 to 1980; Maria Regina Diocesan High School in Uniondale, NY, from 1980 to 1984; Bishop Hoban High School in Wilkes Barre, PA from 1984 to 1994; and at Holy Cross High School in Delran, NJ, from 1994 to 2010.
From 2010 until the time of her death, Sister Carolyn served as a prayer minister at Our Lady of Peace Residence in Scranton.
She received a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education and a Master of Science degree in Counselor Education, both from Marywood College.
She was preceded in death by six brothers, Charles, Donald, Dean, James, William, and Robert, and three sisters, Mary Lou Faliskie, Kathleen Toolan and Sister Ellen Mullen, IHM.
She is survived by a brother, Thomas of Easton, PA, and many nieces and nephews.
The funeral will be Monday, September 27, 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 Sunday, September 26, between 3:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. A prayer service will be held at 4:30 p.m. Interment will follow Mass on Monday 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 2010 issue
Sister Carolyn Mullen, IHM entered into eternal life on September 22, 2010. She chose to live life right up until the end, in spite of her terminal diagnosis. This was consistent with her outlook on life. She always chose to overcome life’s obstacles with a positive outlook and a deep sense of faith. Her unassuming and quiet presence was an example to her family whom she treasured dearly. Family was of utmost importance to her. Carolyn was the eighth child of eleven.
She was taught early on that the support of one another was most important. She carried this value with her when she entered religious life. Having spent more than 50 years in the field of education, both in teaching and in guidance counseling, she assisted students very quietly, in her own way without any fanfare. Many stories were told of the times she assisted students and the impact she had on their lives and that of the families.
As one of her nieces, I can attest to the fact that she was an example of faith. Carolyn taught me that in life there are hardships; however, it is with faith that we can live life to the fullest. Her deep faith enabled her to endure her last challenge, her terminal illness, with acceptance and peace. She will be missed by our family but her legacy of faith and her resilient spirit will live on in each of us.
by Mary Kay Faliskie, IHM
