Obituary

 

Sister Mary Ryan, IHM

Sister Mary Ryan, IHM, (formerly known as Sister M. Josita) of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary died on Wednesday, December 29, 2010 at Our Lady of Peace Residence in Scranton. 

She was born on October 7, 1922 in Dunmore, PA and given the name Mary Regina. She was the daughter of the late Patrick J. and Ellen (Nellie) McHale Ryan. She entered the IHM Congregation on February 2, 1941 and made her temporary profession of vows on August 2, 1943 and her final profession of vows on August 2, 1946.

Sister Mary served as principal in the following schools: Sacred Hearts Elementary School in New York, NY, from 1966 to 1967; St. Paul Elementary School in Scranton, PA, from 1967 to 1977; and at Wyoming Area Catholic Elementary School in Exeter, PA, from 1985 to 1986. She served as the assistant principal at Bishop Hannon High School in Scranton, PA, from 1977 to 1985.

Sister also served as a teacher in the following schools: St. Patrick Elementary School in Scranton, PA, from 1943 to 1945; St. Patrick Elementary School in Oneida, NY, from 1945 to 1950 and 1961 to 1966; St. Mary Elementary School in Patton, PA, from 1950 to 1952; Holy Rosary High School in Scranton, PA, from 1952 to 1955; St. Thomas Elementary School in Providence, RI, from 1955 to 1956; Most Holy Rosary High School in Syracuse, NY, from 1956 to 1961; Seton Central Catholic High School in Exeter, PA, from 1986 to 1991; and at Bishop Hannon High School in Scranton, PA, from 1991 to 2001.

From 2001 until the time of her death, Sister Mary served as a prayer minister at Cathedral Convent, the IHM Center and Our Lady of Peace Residence.

She received a Bachelor of Science degree in education and a Master of Science degree in education, both from Marywood College.

She is preceded in death by three brothers, Reverend John H., Reverend Joseph and William; and two sisters, Sister Ann Ryan, IHM, and Sister M. Venard Ryan, IHM.

She is survived by a sister, Florence Ryan of Clarks Summit, PA.

The funeral will be Monday, January 3, at 11:00 a.m. with Mass of Christian Burial at Our Lady of Peace Residence, 2300 Adams Avenue in Scranton. Friends may call at Our Lady of Peace Residence on Sunday, January 2, between 3:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. A prayer service will be held at 4:00 p.m. Interment is at St. Catherine's Cemetery in the Ryan Family Plot, Moscow, PA.

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 2011 issue
 
I came to know Sister Mary and her family through Sister Ann Ryan, my best friend and Sister Mary’s sister. Of three sisters who entered the IHM Congregation, Ann was the first to enter, Mary came next in 1941 and Venard a year later.

Mary loved deeply her family and the IHM community. She also loved the outdoors—from raking leaves at the family home in Clarks Summit to spending time at the Jersey shore for vacations at Sea Isle City. Mary loved walking: walking to church each morning and walking along the boardwalk, taking in the beauty of the ocean and people-watching.

I taught with Sister Mary at Seton Catholic High School in Pittston where she taught freshman English. She was known never to raise her voice to students; she treated them with respect and expected and received the same in return.

She knew how to get along with everyone. When she walked into a room, she had something nice to say to those present. She knew how to talk with people because she was genuinely interested in them.

I loved Mary’s spirit—she was happy and never took things too seriously. She enjoyed life and that was evidenced by her perpetual smile. Even during her illness at Our Lady of Peace Residence, she never lost her sense of humor.

Rest in peace, dear Sister Mary.

by Daniela McCarthy, IHM