Sister Maria Theophane Allen, IHM
Sister Maria Theophane Allen, IHM, of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, died Thursday morning, May 23, 1985, at the Marian Convent in Scranton, Pennsylvania, after an illness.
She was born on May 5, 1903 in Dunmore, Pennsylvania, and was the daughter of the late Michael and Mary O'Donnell Allen. She entered the IHM Congregation on September 8, 1925, received the religious habit on December 28, 1925, and made profession of her vows on December 28, 1927.
Sister Maria Theophane served as a teacher at the following schools: St. Patrick Elementary School in Olyphant, PA; St. Rose Elementary School in Carbondale, PA; St. John the Evangelist Elementary School in Binghamton, NY; Cathedral Elementary School in Scranton, PA; St. Raymond Elementary School in Lynbrook, NY; St. Peter of Alcantara School in Port Washington, NY; St. Mary of the Assumption Elementary School in Upper Marlboro, MD; as well as schools located in Pittsburgh, PA. She served as principal at Nativity of Our Lord Elementary School in Scranton, PA.
From 1982 until the time of her death, she served as a prayer minister at the Marian Convent.
She is preceded in death by a sister, Mary Allen Gibbons; and a brother, James.
She is survived by a sister, Sister Maria Andrew Allen, IHM, St. Mary of Mt. Carmel Convent, Dunmore; and a niece.
The funeral will be Saturday, May 25 with Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. in the Marian Convent chapel. Interment will follow at St. Catherine's Cemetery, Moscow, Pennsylvania. Friends may call on Friday afternoon after 2 p.m. at the Marian Convent.
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 Maria Theophane was a quiet, refined, gentle religious lady. Her deep love for God was reflected in the way she lived the gospel message. Love for life was manifested in her art and in her sense of humor. Sister was loved and respected by the sisters in community and by the children whom she taught. During her long teaching career, she taught at the primary, intermediate and junior high level at schools located in Pennsylvania, New York, and Maryland.
