Sister M. Leonilla Connors, IHM

Sister M. Leonilla Connors, IHM, of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary died on Monday, March 22, 1999, at the Marian Convent in Scranton, Pennsylvania.

She was born December 6, 1903 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and given the name Helen. She was the daughter of the late James F. and Ellen Grant Connors.  She entered the IHM Congregation on September 8, 1928, made temporary profession of her vows on April 14, 1931, and final profession of her vows on August 1, 1934.

Sister Leonilla served as a teacher at the following schools: St. Mary Elementary School in Patton, PA; Our Lady of Mount Carmel Elementary School in Barnesboro, PA; St. Mary John Elementary School in Cresson, PA; Sacred Heart Elementary School in La Plata, MD; Mt. Holy Regional Catholic Grammar School in Mount Holly, NJ;  as well as at elementary schools located in Pittsburgh and Lock Haven, PA, and Baltimore, MD.

From 1994 until the time of her death, Sister Leonilla served as a prayer minister at the Marian Convent.

She received a Bachelor of Arts degree in social studies, and a Master of Science degree in education, both from Marywood College. She was a member of the Catholic Library Association. 

She was preceded in death by three sisters, Frances Hogan, Genevieve Buckley and Anne Burroughs, and four brothers, James, John, Thomas and Father Charles, C.S.Sp.

She is survived by nieces and nephews.

The funeral will be Thursday, March 25 at 10:30 a.m. with Mass of Christian Burial at the Marian Convent, followed by interment at St. Catherine's Cemetery, Moscow. Friends may call at the Marian Convent on Wednesday between 2:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.

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.