Sister Mary George Holleran, IHM
Sister Mary George Holleran, IHM, of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary died on Saturday, December 25, 1965 at the Marian Convent in Scranton, Pennsylvania.
She was born on November 7, 1899 in Pittston, Pennsylvania, and given the name Bridget Mary. She was the daughter of the late John and Mary King Holleran. She entered the IHM Congregation on February 3, 1902, received the religious habit on July 31, 1902, and made profession of her vows on August 2, 1904.
Sister Mary George served as a teacher at the following schools: St. Patrick Elementary School in Scranton, PA, from 1902 to 1903; St. Cecilia Elementary School in Scranton, PA, in 1904; St. John the Evangelist Elementary School in Bellefonte, PA, from 1904 to 1909; St. Lawrence Academy in Portland, OR, from 1914 to 1919; St. Mary Elementary School in Hollidaysburg, PA, from 1919 to 1931; All Saints Elementary School in Masontown, PA, from 1931 to 1933; St. Mary Elementary School in Patton, PA, from 1933 to 1935; St. Rita Elementary School in Dundalk, MD, in 1938; Immaculate Conception Elementary School in Pittston, PA, from 1938 to 1940; St. Leo Elementary School in Ashley, PA, from 1940 to 1949; and St. Mary Elementary School in Avoca, PA, from 1950 to 1952.
Sister served as a principal at the following schools: St. Lawrence Academy in Portland, OR, from 1914 to 1919; St. Mary Elementary School in Hollidaysburg, PA, from 1919 to 1931; and All Saints Elementary School in Masontown, PA, from 1931 to 1933.
She also served as a teacher for IHM novices at Marywood College in Scranton, PA, from 1935 to 1938.
From 1952 until the time of her death, Sister Mary George served as a prayer minister at St. Agnes Place in Elmhurst and the Marian Convent.
She was preceded in death by a brother, Patrick.
She is survived by two sisters, Margaret and Genevieve (Jennie), both of Kingston, PA, three brothers, Joseph, Thomas and Michael, all of Kingston, PA, nieces and nephews.
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 Remembrance:
Sister Mary George was by nature a teacher par excellence. Her first five years were spent in teaching grade school children in Scranton and Bellefonte. Soon her wonderful pedagogical methods were singled out and as principal, the children in Hollidaysburg, Masontown, and Portland, Oregon received the full benefit of her intelligence and understanding. So respected was her pedagogy that she was assigned to instruct the novices of our community, and for many years the stamp of her methods was reflected in the young teachers emanating from our novitiate. In 1952 this good Sister and fine teacher had to retire because of ill health. For thirteen years she was a cheerful patient, always ready with a quick rejoinder, enjoying a joke, and serving God with joy even in her sickness. Sister Mary George will be remembered for her innate courtesy, never dialing to say "thank you" even for the slightest service. Sister Mary George was near death several times; she succumbed early Christmas morning. May our Blessed Mother present Sister Mary George to her Divine Son, whom she served faithfully so many years.
