Sister M. Elise Frank, IHM
Sister M. Elise Frank, IHM, of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary died on Sunday, December 14, 2008 at Our Lady of Peace Residence in Scranton, Pennsylvania.
She was born on February 18, 1923 in Syracuse, NY, and was the daughter of the late Joseph and Mary (Mae) Driscoll Frank. She entered the IHM Congregation on September 8, 1946 and made her temporary profession of vows on May 9, 1949 and her final profession of vows on August 2, 1952.
Sister Elise was a primary and intermediate teacher and served at the following schools: Epiphany Elementary School in Sayre, PA from 1949 to 1953; St. Thomas Aquinas Elementary School in Archbald, PA from 1953 to 1955; Archbishop Neale Elementary School in LaPlata, MD from 1955 to 1956; Nativity Elementary School in Scranton, PA from 1956 to 1957; St. Rosalia Elementary School in Pittsburgh, PA from 195 to 1967; Most Holy Rosary Elementary School in Syracuse, NY from 1967 to 1975; St. Mary Elementary School in Goldsboro, NC from 1975 to 1976; St. Bernard Elementary School in Hastings, PA from 1976 to 1980; St. Rose Elementary School in Carbondale, PA from 198 to 1984; and St. Matthew Elementary School in Wilmington, DE from 1984 to 1985.
Sister Elise served as a clerical aide at St. Joseph’s Center in Scranton, PA from 1985 to 1987, and in the school office at St. Ann Elementary School in Nyack, NY from 1987 to 1989. She also served as the library assistant at St. Rose Elementary School, Carbondale, PA from 1989 to 2000.
From 2000 until the time of her death, she served as a prayer minister at the Marian Convent and Our Lady of Peace Residence in Scranton.
She received a Bachelor of Arts degree in elementary education from Marywood College.
She was preceded in death by a sister, Theresa O’Neill.
She is survived by nieces, nephews and cousins.
The funeral will be Wednesday, December 17, with Mass of Christian Burial at Our Lady of Peace Residence, 2300 Adams Avenue in Scranton. Interment will follow at St. Catherine's Cemetery, Moscow. Friends may call at Our Lady of Peace Residence on Tuesday, December 16, between 3:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. A prayer service will be held at 4:30 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.
Reprinted from "In Memoriam" section of Journey, Winter 2009 issue
Sometimes “real friends” enter our lives late in life. Sister Elise Frank was one such friend in my life. I didn’t even know who she was until 1964 when I was assigned to Most Holy Rosary in Syracuse. Her father, still alive and in a nursing home at the time, was pure German. Her mother who had died previously was Irish. Sister Elise resembled her father in so many ways – such a good solid individual – with very slow set patterns of life from which she never deviated. She personified kindness and charity that I had not often witnessed. She wouldn’t “harm a flea,” and her acts of compassion were innumerable.
My first personal experience was during the time I was literally laid up for two summer months after surgery on both feet at the same time. Sister made that time so much easier and more pleasant for me. Another highlight was her surprise visit of two weeks to British Columbia while I was caring for my parents. I could tell many more of her kindnesses, but my space is limited.
Some friends leave our lives through dementia and no longer know or recognize us. They are prayerful and holy companions” on the journey. Sister Elise Frank was such a friend – and I will always be grateful God sent her into my life. I truly believe it was a growth experience for the both of us. Eternal joy and happiness be hers for all eternity!
by Sr. Barbara DuMont, IHM
