Gentle and Sweet

We so often hear that it is not what you do but who you are that counts. Libbie Bergan was known as a wonderful teacher. She was well loved by both parents and students, known for her sweet and pleasing personality. She had many friends and relatives as well who mourned her death. Who was this exceptional woman?

Elizabeth Bergan was born in Waymart, PA, on December 1, 1868. At some point in her childhood her family moved to Mayfield, PA, where she served as a public-school teacher for six or seven years before entering the IHMs on September 7, 1893. It was noted in the newspaper account of her reception on May 24, 1894, that although the ceremony usually occurred at daybreak, due to the health of the bishop and the unusually bad weather, (it had been raining heavily for several days before the ceremony), the reception and profession took place at 3:00 p.m. in the afternoon in Carbondale; she was professed on July 2, 1896. 

Shortly after her profession Sister Mary Visitation was assigned to St. Paul School in Scranton, PA; but due to poor health she only served at St. Paul for seven years. Sister Visitation was among the sisters at St. Paul’s who opened the new convent that was built in 1898.  Sister Visitation returned to Marywood where she died on May 3, 1906.  Her funeral took place at Mt. St. Mary’s Seminary, and she is buried here on campus.

From all accounts of her life, she served her God and God’s people in many ways, but most importantly by her pleasant disposition. May we, too, be known for who we are rather than what we do.