Sister M. Columbanus Sanders, IHM
Sister M. Columbanus Sanders, IHM, of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary died on August 13, 1959 at the Marian Convent in Scranton, Pennsylvania.
Daughter of the late William and Catherine Dougherty Sanders, she was born on June 18, 1896 in Annapolis, Maryland; and given the name Leila Josepha. She entered the IHM Congregation on August 1, 1916, received the religious habit on August 2, 1917, and made profession of her vows on August 2, 1919.
Sister Columbanus served as a teacher at the following schools: St. Mary of the Mount in Pittsburgh, from 1919 to 1920; St. Joseph in Renovo, in 1920; Most Holy Rosary in Syracuse, NY, from 1920 to 1921 and 1932 to 1934; All Saints in Masontown, from 1921 to 1922; St. Rosalia in Pittsburgh, from 1922 to 1929 and 1949 to 1952; St. Cecilia in Scranton, from 1929 to 1930; Sacred Hearts in La Plata, MD, from 1930 to 1931 and 1942 to 1948; St. Rose in Carbondale, from 1931 to 1932; St. John in Pittston, from 1934 to 1939; St. John in Susquehanna, from 1939 to 1942; Immaculate Conception in Lock Haven, from 1950 to 1952; and St. Dominic in Oyster Bay, NY, from 1952 to 1957.
From 1957 until the time of her death, she served as a prayer minister at the Marian Convent.
She was preceded in death by a brother, William.
She is survived by a sister, Catherine of Annapolis, MD.
Interment will follow the Mass of Christian Burial 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.
Below is an archival reflection about our Sister M. Columbanus Sanders:
Sister M. Columbanus fought the battle of ill health for years, but always she struggled to teach the important classes entrusted to her. Her kindness to students was well known. Those less favored in scholastic ability will always call her blessed for she strove to know the needs of her students and generously sought to give the necessary help. Uncounted are the students whom she encouraged to surmount their school difficulties. May God reward her as He has promised those who instruct unto justice.
