Sister Mary Cornelius Scanlon, IHM
Sister Mary Cornelius Scanlon, IHM, of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary died on Monday, August 15, 2005 at the Marian Convent in Scranton, Pennsylvania.
She was born on March 24, 1920 in Edgewood, RI, and given the name Norene Barbara. She was the daughter of the late Michael and Nora Finnerty Scanlon. She entered the IHM Congregation on September 8, 1939, made temporary profession of her vows on May 8, 1942, and final profession of her vows on August 2, 1945.
Sister Mary Cornelius served as a teacher at the following schools: St. Cecilia Elementary School in Wyoming, PA, from 1951 to 1952; St. Matthew Elementary School in East Stroudsburg, PA, from 1971 to 1975; Holy Trinity Elementary School in Bridgeport, CT; St. Ephrem Elementary School in Brooklyn, NY; St. Raymond Elementary School in East Rockaway, NY; St. Ann Elementary School in Nyack, NY; St. Peter of Alcantara Elementary School in Port Washington, NY; Our Lady of Grace Elementary School in Manhasset, NY; Sacred Heart Elementary School in Mount Holly, NJ; as well as elementary schools located in Baltimore, MD, and Forest Hills, NY.
From 2001 until the time of her death, Sister Mary Cornelius served as a prayer minister at the Marian Convent
She received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education from Marywood College.
She was preceded in death by four brothers, Cornelius, Edmund, John and Thomas; and six sisters, Sister Mary Nicholas, IHM, Mildred Lally, Bernadette Long, Mary Scanlon, Loretta Scanlon and Helen Stannard.
She is survived by several nieces and nephews, and by the members of the IHM Congregation.
The funeral will be Friday, August 19, at 10:30 a.m. with Mass of Christian Burial at the Marian Convent followed by interment at St. Catherine's Cemetery, Moscow. Friends may call at the Marian Convent on August 18, between 3:00 p.m. and 8:00 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, Fall 2006 issue
There was energy around the room, a creative buzz, an inquisitive chatter, as the third graders scrambled on the classroom floor to solve the puzzle that was theirs that morning.
There, in the midst of it all, stood Sister Mary Cornelius Scanlon, IHM, successfully implementing some Montessori teaching techniques. She often spoke of how she became aware of the Montessori method from Sr. Mary Ellen Downing, an expert in the field, and how she collected different materials that would enable her to implement that method in a traditional classroom environment.
With fond memory, we recall that Sister Cornelius exhibited an extraordinary ability to engage children in the learning experience, as well as a remarkable sensitivity toward children who were educationally challenged. We will remember her always as gentle, unassuming, creative and sensitive; but most of all, as a special teacher who loved children and taught them to have fun while learning!
Sister Cornelius’ death came as a surprise to everyone, and we will always be grateful to God for her special gifts and our fond memories.
by Sisters Jane Ellis and Regina Wilson, IHM
