Sister M. Ricardus Tuskey, IHM
Sister M. Ricardus Tuskey, IHM, of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary died on Thursday, September 3, 2009 at Our Lady of Peace Residence in Scranton, PA.
She was born on June 13, 1928 in Susquehanna, PA; and given the name Ann Marie. She was the daughter of the late Robert Joseph and Matilda Rubus Tuskey. She entered the IHM Congregation on September 8, 1945 and made her temporary profession of vows on May 8, 1948 and her final profession of vows on August 2, 1951.
Sister Ricardus served as a teacher for nearly fifty years. She served at the following schools: St. John Elementary School in Scranton, from 1948 to 1950; Holy Angels Elementary School in Hays, from 1950 to 1951; Academy of IHM in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, from 1951 to 1961; St. Peter of Alcantara in Port Washington, NY, from 1961 to 1966; St. Ambrose Elementary School in Bridgeport, CT, from 1966 to 1974; St. Stephen Elementary School in New York, NY, from 1974 to 1982; and St. John the Evangelist School in Binghamton, NY, from 1982 to 1987 and 1989 to 2002.
From 2002 until the time of her death, Sister Ricardus served as a prayer minister at the Marian Convent and Our Lady of Peace Residence in Scranton.
She received a Bachelor of Science degree in education, and a Master of Science degree in reading education, both from Marywood College.
She is preceded in death by two brothers, Robert Bernard and Richard Gerard.
She is survived by a brother, Leonard J. of Richmond, VA; nieces and nephews.
The funeral will be Wednesday, September 9, at 11:00 a.m. with Mass of Christian Burial at Our Lady of Peace Residence, 2300 Adams Avenue in Scranton. Interment will be at St. Catherine Cemetery, Moscow, Pa. Friends may call at Our Lady of Peace Residence on Tuesday, September 8, between 3:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. A prayer service will be held at 4:30 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, Spring 2010 issue
Sister Ricardus was from Susquehanna, PA, the only girl of four children in her family.
I met Sister when I helped her to move to our new residence. Little did I realize then that we would become close friends. She loved reading, playing bingo, and writing to family and friends. When Sister Ricardus’ eyesight began to fail she would dictate messages in cards for special occasions and as replies. Through correspondence, she rejoiced in all the happy occasions that she was unable to attend.
She was very intelligent and had a wonderful memory, taking special joy in keeping up on congregation news and sharing in the success stories of her former students. Sister Ricardus faithfully prayed for everyone and their special intentions.
She appreciated the thoughtful things done for her—all the extra care, because there was something special about her. She never complained about dialysis or the losses she experienced—vision, reading, and walking. She was always looking at the things she could do. Her inner spirit danced.
I know the most important life lesson that Sister Ricardus taught me was not always in words, but in how she lived her life. I saw her struggle silently through health problems as she reached beyond them to embrace everyone she knew. I will always be grateful that I had the privilege of knowing and spending time with her.
Thank you Sister Ricardus for sharing your journey with us. Though you are missed you live on in our hearts.
by Johnice Grand, IHM
