Obituary

 

Sister M. Ann Elizabeth O'Donnell, IHM

Sister M. Ann Elizabeth O'Donnell, IHM, of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary died on Saturday, August 15, 1964 at St. Joseph's Hospital in Carbondale, Pennsylvania, after an illness of several months.

She was born on February 12, 1905 in Madison, Pennsylvania, and given the name Mary Catherine. She was the daughter of the late Francis Joseph and Mary Tait O’Donnell. She entered the Congregation on January 6, 1926, received the habit of the Congregation August 5, 1926, and pronounced her religious vows August 15, 1928.

From 1928 to 1932, Sister was devoted to the care of the altars, sanctuary, and sacristy at the IHM Motherhouse in Scranton, PA.

Sister Ann Elizabeth served as a teacher at the following schools: St. Rose Elementary School in Carbondale, PA, from 1932 to 1933; St. Paul Elementary School in Scranton, PA, from 1933 to 1937; St. Patrick Elementary School in Scranton, PA, from 1937 to 1939; St. John the Evangelist Elementary School in Scranton, PA, from 1939 to 1940; St. Ann Elementary School in Scranton, PA, from 1940 to 1942; St. Bernard Elementary School in Hastings, PA, from 1942 to 1947; St. Rosalia Elementary School in Pittsburgh, PA, from 1947 to 1952; St. Mary of the Mount Elementary School in Pittsburgh, PA, from 1952 to 1959; and St. Ephrem Elementary School in Brooklyn, NY, from 1959 to 1964.

She is survived by two brothers, Hugh and William.

The funeral will be on Monday, August 17 at 9:30 a.m. in the Marian Convent Chapel in Scranton, with interment to follow at St. Catherine’s Cemetery in Moscow, Pennsylvania. Friends may call at the Marian Convent on Sunday afternoon after 2:00 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.


Archival Remembrance:

When Sister M. Ann Elizabeth O'Donnell faced her second grade class a year ago, she gave no indication that before the school year would be over, she would be at Saint Joseph's hospital awaiting God's last call. Though very ill and suffering great pain, she looked forward to recovery and a continuation of her apostolate as a teacher. The first years of her religious life had been devoted to the care of the altars, sanctuary, and sacristy at Marywood. Many of our Sisters who worked with her can readily recall the meticulous care she gave to "the beauty of God's house." She was an indefatigable worker, a perfectionist; no assistance was acceptable unless it too had the stamp of perfection. She thoroughly enjoyed teaching elementary aged pupils about the sacraments of confession and Holy Communion. The pupils she taught drew her loving interest and careful training. Thousands of little ones were trained by her for their first confession and first Holy Communion. In this work, she was at her best; no detail was neglected. May we not think that the army of communicants who preceded her to heaven led her way to God's throne, hymning their gratitude for the special care she had given them in their first embrace of our Eucharistic Lord. May Sister Ann Elizabeth enjoy the eternal reward promised to those who "instruct others unto justice."


" Sister Ann Elizabeth

The funeral of Sister M. Ann Elizabeth of the Sisters Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Scranton, Pa., who taught at St. Ephrem's School, Brooklyn, N.Y. for the past five years, took place from the Marian Convent, Marywood, Scranton, Pa., Monday morning, after a High Mass of Requiem in the convent chapel at 9:30.

She died at St. Joseph's Hospital, Carbondale, Pa., Aug. 15, after an illness of several months.

Rev. Richard Dunn, assistant pastor at St. Ephrem's, celebrated the Mass.  Present in the sanctuary were Reverend  C. Bolger C.Ss.R., and Reverend John Dougherty, Administrator of St. Ann’s Church, Tobyhanna, Pa.

Sister M. Ann Elizabeth was the daughter of the late Francis Joseph and Mary Many (sic) Tait O'Donnell of Madison, Pennsylvania.  She entered the Congregation of the Immaculate Heart Sisters Jan. 6, 1926, received the habit of the Congregation Aug. 5, 1926, and pronounced her religious vows Aug. 15, 1928.

Aside from teaching at St. Ephrem's School, Brooklyn, Sister M. Ann Elizabeth served on the faculties of St. Paul's School, Scranton, Pa., St. Bernard's School, Hastings, Pa. and St. Mary's of the Mount School, Pittsburgh, Pa.

The deceased is survived by two brothers, Hugh and William."

(from obituary the Congregation submitted to the local newspaper)