Sister M. Leona Lennon, IHM
Sister M. Leona Lennon, IHM, of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary died on Wednesday, March 6, 1957, at the Marian Convent in Scranton, Pennsylvania.
She was born on March 1, 1865 in Mauch Chunk, Pennsylvania, and given the name Rose. She was the daughter of the late Michael and Margaret Boyle Lennon. She entered the IHM Congregation on September 8, 1887, received the religious habit on March 6, 1888, and made profession of her vows on April 8, 1890.
Sister Leona enjoyed her years of teaching children in our IHM mission schools, including at St. Mary Elementary School in Patton, PA, where she also served as superior.
She was preceded in death by two brothers, James and Patrick J.
She was survived by a sister, Margaret (Maggie).
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 M. Leona will always be remembered as an excellent primary teacher. After long years of service in the classroom, she spent happy years of retirement at St. Ann's Convent in Scranton. Here she busied herself in little acts of kindness to others. She rejoiced the community by her fidelity to the Rule and her pleasant interest in all community affairs. Frequently, she was prepared for death, and as each of our Blessed Mother's feasts drew near, she looked forward to God's summons to eternity. After coming to the Marian Convent, she gained strength, and was able to be again with the community she loved. Her death was peaceful and quiet. As a "lady in waiting," she was ready.
"Another new school, under the auspices of our Lady of Perpetual Help, was opened during the first year of Mother Germaine's administration. The parish at Patton is served by the Benedictine Fathers. Patton is a little country town situated in the Alleghany Mountains, and something of the Benedictine old world peace and quiet seems to brood over it. It was at the suggestion of Right Reverend Bishop Garvey that Father Edwin, O.S.B., the venerable pastor, applied for Sisters of the Immaculate Heart to take charge of the new school. The following Sisters were appointed: Sister M. Leona, Sister M. Nepomucene, Sister M. Leon, Sister M. Eulalia, and Sister M. Joachim, with Sister M. Leona as superior. Accompanied by Mother Superior and Sister M. Borgia, they left Mount Saint Mary's, September 3, 1913, and arrived at Patton that evening at seven-thirty. A delegation of the ladies of
the parish met them at the station with carriages to convey them to their new home. On their way they visited the church. They were met at the church door by the pastor, Reverend Father Edwin, who welcomed them cordially. They found the convent comfortably furnished and supper awaiting them. After supper Father Edwin gave them a detailed history of the parish, and an account of the building of the school. "
Excerpted from The Sisters of the I.H.M.: The Story of The Founding of The Congregation of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary and Their Work In The Scranton Diocese by Sister M. Immaculata Gillespie, IHM, P.J. Kenedy & Sons, NY, 1921, p. 388
