Sister M. Ferdinand O'Connell, IHM

Sister M. Ferdinand O'Connell, IHM, of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary died on Tuesday, March 16, 1971 at the Marian Convent in Scranton, Pennsylvania.

She was born on August 29, 1881 in Milton, Pennsylvania, and given the name Ellen Lucille. She was the daughter of the late Michael and Mary Sullivan O'Connell. She entered the IHM Congregation on December 8, 1905, received the religious habit on July 26, 1906, and made profession of her vows on July 16, 1908.

Sister Ferdinand served as a teacher in the following schools: St. Mary of the Mount High School in Pittsburgh, PA; Holy Rosary High School in Scranton, PA; St. Michael's Industrial School for Boys in Hoban Heights, PA; St. John the Evangelist High School in Scranton, PA; Altoona Catholic High School in Altoona, PA; St. Ann High School in Scranton, PA; St. Paul High School in Scranton, PA; St. Patrick High School in Scranton, PA; and Marywood Seminary in Scranton, PA.  She also served as an English teacher at Marywood College in Scranton, PA, from 1929 to 1931.

She served as principal and superior at the following schools: Most Holy Rosary School in Syracuse, NY, from 1942 to 1948; St. Alphonsus High School in New York City, from 1954 to 1956.  From 1948 to 1954, Sister Ferdinand served as the supervisor of Catholic schools in Pennsylvania.

She was preceded in death by four brothers, Daniel, Michael, Richard and John Patrick and two sisters, Bridget Mary McGee and Mary Staib, and a niece in community, Sister Maria Agnes McGee, IHM.

She is survived by a sister, Helen of Williamsport, PA, nieces and nephews.

Interment is at St. Catherine’s Cemetery in Moscow, Pennsylvania.

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.