Sister Kathryn Rolley, IHM
Sister Kathryn Rolley, IHM, (formerly known as Sister M. Serena) of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary died on Saturday, January 19, 2013, at Our Lady of Peace Residence in Scranton, PA.
She was born on February 3, 1923, in Karthaus, PA. She was the daughter of the late Noah and Clara Rolley Rolley. She entered the IHM Congregation on February 2, 1945, and made her temporary profession of vows on August 2, 1947, and her final profession of vows on August 2, 1950.
Sister Kathryn served as a teacher at the following schools: St. Mary of the Mount Elementary School in Pittsburgh, from 1947 to 1952 and 1983 to 1986; St. Mary Elementary School in Goldsboro, NC, from 1952 to1953; St. Bernardine Elementary School in Baltimore, MD, from 1953 to 1958; Sacred Hearts Elementary School in New York, NY, from 1958 to 1964; Mother of Mercy Elementary School in Washington, NC, from 1964 to 1966; Holy Rosary Elementary School in Scranton, PA, from 1966 to 1970; St. Patrick Elementary School in Scranton, from 1970 to 1975; Nativity Elementary School in Scranton, from 1975 to 1978; St. Aloysius Elementary School in Cresson, from 1978 to 1983; St. Rosalia Elementary School in Pittsburgh, from 1986 to 1988; Our Lady Queen of Martyrs Elementary School in Forest Hills, NY, from 1988 to 1996; and Msgr. McHugh Elementary School in Cresco, from 1996 to 2001.
Sister also served as an instructor at the Education Enrichment Institute at the IHM Center in Scranton, from 2001 to 2002; and receptionist at the IHM Center in Scranton, from 2002 to 2004.
From 2004 until the time of her death, Sister Kathryn was a prayer minister at the Marian Convent and at Our Lady of Peace Residence in Scranton.
She received a Bachelor of Science degree in education, and a Master of Science degree in education, both from Marywood College.
She was preceded in death by a brother, Wayne; and three sisters, Irma Young, Helen Trimpey, and Mildred Reish.
She is survived by nieces and nephews.
The funeral will be Thursday, January 24, at 11:00 a.m. with Mass of Christian Burial at Our Lady of Peace Residence, 2300 Adams Avenue in Scranton. Friends may call at Our Lady of Peace Residence on Wednesday, January 23, between 3:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. A prayer service will be held at 4:00 p.m. Interment will follow Mass on Thursday at St. Catherine’s Cemetery in Moscow, PA.
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.
Reprinted from "In Memoriam" section of Journey, Spring 2013 issue
Sister Kathryn was a treasured sister in community and a beloved friend for thirty-five years. During her years as an IHM her ministries
took her far and wide from her loving family and home in Karthaus, PA. She served as teacher in four states and, in her later years,
as a prayer minister at the Marian Convent and OLP. Her students, little folks in early childhood and elementary schools, truly loved
and were loved by this gracious, soft-spoken woman. Often I witnessed her surrounded by children looking up at her, vying with each
other to hold her hand and enjoying some laughs as she played with them. She was so like the tiny ones whom she taught: simple, humble and very tuned into God.
One of her favorite pastimes was to sing, and for a short time she studied voice with an opera trained teacher. She had many “exercises” to practice between lessons and we both had many a laugh over these vocalizing “techniques.”
Sister began her religious life as Sister Serena, surely a perfect name for a serene, gentle lady. But she delighted as well in the nicknames
that were given her: “Kate,” “Katie,” “Katie-Kadoodlehoffer,” “Sunshine” and “Beautiful”—all of which fit her like a glove.
Recently, sister became a participant in the LIFE Geisinger program which she so enjoyed. Sister Kate made some good friends there and everyone spoke of her kindness, her singing ability and always her warm, welcoming smile. Truly, our Sister Katie will be sorely missed by all who were privileged to know her.
by Sister Linda Anne Greenberg, IHM
