Sister M. Blanche Feeney, IHM
Sister M. Blanche Feeney, IHM, of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary died on Wednesday, March 26, 1997 at the Marian Convent in Scranton, Pennsylvania.
She was born on July 23, 1909 in Scranton, Pennsylvania, and given the name Mary M. She was the daughter of the late John J. and Mary Elizabeth Berry Feeney. She entered the IHM Congregation on February 2, 1930, made her temporary profession of vows on August 2, 1932, and her final profession of vows on August 2, 1935.
Sister Blanche served in the following schools: St. Ephrem in Brooklyn, NY, from 1932 to 1939; Sacred Hearts in New York, NY, from 1939 to 1942; St. Mary of the Mount in Pittsburgh, PA, from 1942 to 1946 and 1963 to 1966; St. Alphonsus in New York, NY, from 1946 to 1948; St. Leo in Ashley, PA, from 1948 to 1951; South Scranton Catholic in Scranton, PA, from 1951 to 1952; St. Joseph in New Bern, NC, from 1952 to 1955; St. Michael's Industrial School for Boys in Hoban Heights, PA, from 1955 to 1958; St. Mary in Manhasset, NY, from 1958 to 1969 and 1966 to 1968; St. Basil in Dushore, PA, from 1959 to 1963; Most Holy Rosary in Syracuse, NY, from 1968 to 1969; and Bishop Klonowski in Scranton, PA, from 1969 to 1976.
Sister also served as a secretary at the IHM Center in Scranton, PA, from 1976 to 1985.
From 1985 until the time of her death, Sister Blanche served as a prayer minister at the Marian Convent.
She received a Bachelor of Science degree in business, and a Master of Science degree in business, both from Marywood College.
She was preceded in death by a brother, Gerald, and two sisters, Eleanor Brogan and Jean Sottile.
She is survived by three nieces, Mary Brogan of Scranton, PA, Louise Sottile of Scranton, PA, Mary Ann Burghardt of Venice, FL, five nephews, Joseph Brogan of Dunmore, PA, John Brogan of Mt. Cobb, PA, Gerald Feeney of Chicago, IL, John Feeney of Arlington, VA, and Michael Feeney of Johnson City, NY, and a sister-in-law, Mary Feeney.
Archival Remembrance:
Gifted with an expansive heart and boundless generosity, Sr. Blanche Feeney served as an IHM sister for 65 years until her death. As an educator and a leader she gave witness to her love of God and life to countless numbers of young people and families. She served as an elementary teacher, business teacher and principal at IHM schools from Pennsylvania to New York, and as far south as North Carolina. Her faith-filled ministry also extended to the IHM Congregation when she served as a secretary at the IHM Center.
