Sister M. Adele Mullen, IHM
Sister M. Adele Mullen, IHM, of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, died Saturday, October 29, 2005, at the Marian Convent in Scranton, Pennsylvania.
She was born on July 30, 1929, in Kingston, Pennsylvania, and given the name Elizabeth. She was the daughter of the late Robert and Kathryn Murphy Mullen. She entered the IHM Congregation on September 8, 1948, made temporary profession of her vows on May 8, 1951, and final profession of her vows on August 2, 1954.
Sister Adele served as a teacher at the following schools: St. Basil Academy in Dushore, PA, from 1951 to 1954; St. Cecilia Elementary School in Wyoming, PA, from 1959 to 1960; Epiphany School in Sayre, PA, from 1960 to 1961; All Saints Elementary School in Masontown, PA, from 1961 to 1964; St. Thomas Elementary School in Bedford, PA, from 1969 to 1976; St. Paul Elementary School in Scranton, PA, from 1976 to 1981; St. Clare Elementary School in Scranton, PA, from 1981 to 1982; St. Matthew Elementary School in East Stroudsburg, PA, from 1982 to 1988; Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Elementary School in Asbury Park, NJ; and at schools located in New Bern, NC.
Sister also served as the coordinator of music at Our Lady of Mercy School and Parish in Forest Hills, NY, and at the Marian Convent in Scranton, PA. She also served as a catechetical instructor at Holy Name of Mary Catechetical Center in Montrose, PA, from 1954 to 1959.
From 1997 until the time of her death, Sister Adele served as a prayer minister at the Marian Convent.
She earned a Bachelor of Music degree and a Master of Arts degree in music, both from Marywood College.
She is preceded in death by a brother, Robert Mullen, and two sisters, Margaret Mullen and Agnes Mangan.
She is survived by a sister, Sister Robertus Mullen, IHM, of Scranton, PA, and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
The funeral was Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. with Mass of Christian Burial at the Marian Convent. Interment will follow at St. Catherine’s Cemetery, Moscow. Friends may call on Tuesday afternoon or evening at the Marian Convent.
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 2006 issue
Sister Adele Mullen was the epitome of “joyful, loving service.”
Physical limitations never prevented Sr. Adele from living life to the fullest. Parties, puzzles, bingo, cantoring at Mass, participating in the taping of With One Voice, distant meetings of her Mission Group, and even our recent gathering in Chicago found Sr. Adele at the hub of the activity.
Rather late in life she had an opportunity to refine her artistic talent and enjoyed creating floral designs, which were sold at our IHM gift shop. Her gift in creating and enjoying community life had a lasting, positive effect on the many lives she daily touched.
Much to be admired was Adele’s loving concern for her sister, Sr. Robertus. Each day she spent many hours engaging Sister Robertus in various activities, thereby helping the hands of the clock to move along quickly. Before they knew it another day had passed peacefully into eternity.
Sr. Adele lives on in our memory as a person imbued with talent, which she graciously used to sprinkle our days with rays of sunshine. May she forever live in peace, singing Alleluia throughout the eternal city.
by Sr. Kathleen O’Dea, IHM
