Sister Anita Brown, IHM
Sister Anita Brown, IHM, (formerly known as Sister Mary Regis) of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, died on Friday, August 4, 2006 at the Moses Taylor Hospital in Scranton, Pennsylvania.
She was born on December 22, 1927, in Masontown, Pennsylvania, and given the name Teresa Anita. She was the daughter of the late Joseph P. and Teresa Agnes Dillon Brown. She entered the IHM Congregation on September 8, 1951, made temporary profession of her vows on August 2, 1954, and final profession of her vows on August 2, 1957.
Sister Anita served as math teacher at the following schools: St. Basil High School in Dushore, PA, from 1954 to 1962; Father Kolb Memorial High School in Masontown, PA, from 1962 to 1969; Bishop O’Hara High School in Dunmore, PA, from 1969 to 1975; Bishop Klonowski High School in Scranton, PA, from 1975 to 1982; Pocono Central Catholic High School in Cresco, PA,, from 1982 to 1983; Bishop Guilfoyle High School in Altoona, PA, from 1983 to 1987; and at Bishop Hoban High School in Wilkes-Barre, PA, from 1987 to 1990.
Sister Anita also served as the director of religious education at St. Joseph Parish in Portage, PA, from 1990 to 1993; library assistant at Holy Cross High School in Delran, NJ, from 1993 to 1996; and small group instructor at Little Flower School in Bethesda, MD, from 1997 to 2001.
From 2002 until the time of her death, she served as an instructor at the IHM Educational Enrichment Institute at the IHM Center in Scranton, PA.
She received a Bachelor's degree in elementary education, and a Master's degree in secondary education, both from Marywood College.
She was preceded in death by a sister, Mary Claire, and by five brothers, John Dillon, Joseph Austin, Robert V., Patrick F., and James Bernard.
She is survived by two brothers, Vincent A. and his wife Kathleen of Livonia, Michigan, and John Regis of Westland, Michigan, nieces and nephews.
The funeral will be on Wednesday, August 9 at 10:30 a.m. with Mass of Christian Burial at the IHM Center, 2300 Adams Avenue in Scranton, followed by interment at St. Catherine's Cemetery, Moscow, PA. Friends may call at the IHM Center on Tuesday, August 8, between 3:00 p.m. and 7:00 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.
Reprinted from "In Memoriam" section of Journey, Fall 2006 issue
Sr. Anita Brown was a loving, thoughtful and generous woman. Her love for her parents and seven brothers prompted her to postpone her entrance into our congregation in order to help her parents while her brothers finished their education. During those years the family had moved to Detroit, and Anita worked in the offices of Montgomery Ward.
In addition to her love for her family, she also loved her IHM teachers in Masontown. Although she could have entered the Monroe IHMs, she wanted to come to Scranton to be with her beloved teachers and entered on September 8, 1951.
Those who considered Anita their friend knew how thoughtful she was and how generous with her time and talents. She made afghans for our gift shop, and for anyone who mentioned that a member of her family was getting married or having a baby.
After the death of her mother, Anita assumed the role of matriarch. She kept in close touch with her seven brothers and their families. When four of her brothers died she continued her contact with all of their children. At her funeral, it was obvious how her nieces and nephews loved their aunt.
Sr. Anita spent most of her 52 years in the education ministry. She was an excellent mathematics teacher. Many of her students kept in touch with her, some from as far back as her first mission in Dushore.
Sister loved singing. She was a member of several parish choirs and while at Delran she sang with a local choral group.
May Sr. Anita now enjoy her eternal reward and sing with the heavenly choirs for all eternity.
by Sister Pauline Kelly, IHM
