Sister M. Aquin Theobald, IHM
Sister M. Aquin Theobald, IHM, of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary died on Thursday, July 19, 2001 at the Marian Convent in Scranton, Pennsylvania.
She was born on August 29, 1921 in Brooklyn, New York, and given the name Marie Catherine. She was the daughter of the late Charles E. and Catherine C. Plunkett Theobald. She entered the IHM Congregation on September 8, 1943, made her temporary profession of vows on May 8, 1946, and her final profession of vows on August 2, 1949.
Sister Aquin served as a teacher at the following schools: St. Matthew Elementary School in East Stroudsburg, PA, from 1946 to 1952; St. John High School in Pittston, PA, from 1952 to 1954; South Scranton Catholic High School in Scranton, PA, from 1958 to 1961; Bishop O'Reilly High School in Kingston, PA, from 1966 to 1968; Marywood Seminary in Scranton, PA, from 1968 to 1971; Bishop Hoban High School in Wilkes-Barre, PA, from 1971 to 1976; St. Paul School in Cranston, RI; as well as schools located in Manhasset and New York City, NY.
Sister also served as an addiction counselor in Albany, NY, from 1976 to 1978; executive director of Mercy House (a shelter for women in crisis) in Albany, NY, 1978 to 1988; director of the IHM Congregation's Theresa Maxis Center for Justice and Peace in Scranton, PA, 1988 to 1992; director of transportation at the IHM Center in Scranton, PA, from 1992 to 1994; and neighborhood minister at Valley View Terrace in Scranton, PA, from 1996 to 1997.
From 1998 until the time of her death, Sister Aquin served as a prayer minister at the Marian Convent.
She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English, and a Master of Library Science degree, both from Marywood College. She also earned a Master of Arts degree in English from the University of Scranton.
Sister Aquin held membership and offices in numerous organizations including: the Capital District Psychiatric Center Advisory Board, Albany Diocesan Bishop’s Task Force on Women, Scranton Diocesan Bishop’s Task Force on the Economic Pastoral, Scranton Diocesan Commission on Women, Lackawanna County Housing Now Committee, Clear Brook Lodge Advisory Board and Alcoholism Council of Luzerne County. She was a frequent speaker on alcohol abuse and a published poet, lyric composer and writer on topics of addiction, history and English.
She is survived by a brother, C. Edward Theobald of Manlius, NY; and several nieces.
The funeral will be Thursday, July 26 at 10:30 a.m. with Mass of Christian Burial at the Marian Convent, followed by interment at St. Catherine Cemetery, Moscow. Friends may call at the Marian Convent on Wednesday between 2:00 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.
