Sister M. Celestine Ryan, IHM
Sister M. Celestine Ryan, IHM, of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, died Tuesday, December 6, 1983, at the Marian Convent in Scranton, Pennsylvania, after an extended illness.
She was born on August 26, 1899, in Danville, Pennsylvani; and was the daughter of the late Patrick and Catherine Roddy Ryan. She entered the IHM Congregation on February 2, 1921, received the religious habit on August 2, 1921, and made profession of her vows on August 15, 1923.
Sister Celestine served as a teacher at the following schools: St. Patrick Elementary School in Spangler, PA; St. Bernard Elementary School in Hastings, PA; St. Mary Elementary School in Patton, PA; St. Mary John School in Cresson, PA; St. Joseph Elementary School in Danville, PA; St. Basil Elementary School in Dushore, PA; Sacred Heart of Mary Elementary School in Jermyn, PA; Most Holy Rosary Elementary School in Syracuse, NY; St. Mary of Mt. Carmel Elementary School in Dunmore, PA; St. Leo Elementary School in Ashley, PA; St. Mary Elementary School in Avoca, PA; St. Cecilia Elementary School in Exeter, PA; as well as at elementary schools located in Williamsport and Lock Haven, PA.
Sister also served as a catechetical instructor at St. Agnes Catechetical Center in Forest City, PA.
From 1974 until the time of her death, Sister Celestine served as a prayer minister at the Marian Convent.
She is preceded in death by a brother, Daniel.
She is survived by two sisters, Anna and Mary Ryan, both of Danville; two brothers, Michael and James, both of Danville; a niece, Mrs. Celestine Jordan of Denton, Maryland; and a nephew, William Brown. A grandniece, Terri Jordan, is a candidate in the IHM Congregation.
The funeral will be Saturday, December 10 with Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 a.m. in the Marian Convent Chapel. Interment will be at St. Catherine's Cemetery, Moscow, Pennsylvania. Friends may call at the Marian Convent Friday 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 of Sister M. Celestine Ryan:
In a long and varied teaching career, Sister Celestine taught at all the levels from kindergarten to eighth grade. She was stationed at IHM schools in Pennsylvania and New York, and did C.C.D. work at St. Agnes in Forest City. In 1974, Sister Celestine retired to the Marian Convent because of poor health.
