Sister M. Charitas Loftus, IHM
Sister M. Charitas Loftus, IHM, of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, died on Wednesday, February 2, 1983, at the Marian Convent in Scranton, after an extended illness.
She was born on May 22, 1888, in Scranton, PA, and given the name Catherine. She was the daughter of the late James and Mary McNulty Loftus. She entered the IHM Congregation on October 2, 1909, received the religious habit on August 2, 1912, and made profession of her vows on August 3, 1914.
At Marywood in Scranton, PA, Sister Charitas served as a language teacher at Marywood Seminary, and on the faculty of Marywood College, from 1915 to 1968, as a teacher of French, German, Latin, Greek and English. She later served as the chairperson of the English department and was the founder and first moderator of the "Bay Leaf," a literary magazine still published by Marywood College students.
She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree and a Master of Arts degree, both from Marywood College.
She is preceded in death by two sisters, Annie and Mary, three brothers, Reverend James, Aloysius, and Thomas, and a cousin, Sister M. Consolata Ball, IHM.
She is survived by several cousins, among them Sister M. Benigna Ball, IHM of Scranton, PA.
The funeral will be Saturday, February 5 with Mass of Christian Burial at 9:30 a.m. in the Marian Convent Chapel. Interment will follow at St. Catherine Cemetery, Moscow, PA. Friends may call at the Marian Convent Friday afternoon or evening.
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 Remembrance:
After teaching languages at Marywood Seminary for a few years, Sister Charitas Loftus became a charter member of the faculty of Marywood College. She served as a teacher of French, German, Latin, Greek and English, and later became the chairperson of the English Department. She was the founder and first moderator of the "Bay Leaf," a literary magazine still published by the students of Marywood College.
A prolific writer, Sister Charitas has published several books and articles in professional journals. She was cited by the college in 1965 for her fifty years of service in the field of higher education.
