Sister M. Constance Melvin, IHM
Sister M. Constance Melvin, IHM, of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, died Sunday, September 29, 1985, at Mercy Hospital in Scranton, Pennsylvania, after a brief illness.
She was born on October 28, 1918 in Pittston, Pennsylvania, and given the name Mary Margaret. She was the daughter of the late Francis L. and Catherine Hughes Melvin. She entered the IHM Congregation on February 1, 1948, received the religious habit on August 2, 1948, and made profession of her vows on August 2, 1950.
Sister Constance served as an English teacher at the following schools: South Catholic High School and St. Paul High School, both located in Scranton, PA.
From 1960 until 1985 at Marywood College in Scranton, PA, Sister Constance served as chairperson of the Department of Librarianship, Dean of the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, and Executive Director of the Learning Resources Center.
She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in education from Marywood College, and went on to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in library science from Columbia University, and a Ph.D. in library education from the University of Chicago.
She is preceded in death by a brother and a sister.
She is survived by several cousins.
The funeral will be Thursday, October 3 with Mass of Christian Burial at 9:30 a.m. at the IHM Generalate Chapel at Marywood, followed by interment at St. Catherine's Cemetery, Moscow, Pennsylvania. Friends may call at the IHM Generalate on Wednesday afternoon or evening.
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 M. Constance Melvin was a dedicated English teacher and served in two local high schools, South Catholic and St. Paul's. In 1960, Sister Constance came to Marywood College, where she was appointed chairperson of the Department of Librarianship. Later she became Dean of the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, and in 1981, was named Executive Director of the Learning Resources Center at Marywood College. She was on active duty in this post when she was stricken ill. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in education from Marywood College, and went on to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in library science from Columbia University, and a Ph.D. in library education from the University of Chicago. Most recently, she acquired an Master of Science degree in media education from Marywood College. Sister Constance was a member of Kappa Gamma Pi and Beta Phi Mu Honor Societies. She also held membership in several professional organizations, and was president of the Pennsylvania Library Association.
