Sister Jean Conaty, IHM
January 17, 1931 – January 15, 2025

Sister Jean Conaty, IHM, (formerly known as Sister Mary John) of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary died on Wednesday, January 15, 2025, at Our Lady of Peace Residence in Scranton, PA.
Born on January 17, 1931, in Providence, RI, and given the name Jean Marie, Sister Jean was the daughter of the late John Thomas and Catherine Ann Meighan Conaty. She entered the IHM Congregation on September 5, 1948, made temporary profession of her vows on May 8, 1951, and final profession of her vows on August 2, 1954. Sister Jean received a Bachelor of Arts degree in English/mathematics from Marywood College, and a Master of Arts degree in mathematics from Villanova University.
Sister Jean served as a teacher at the following schools: St. Raymond Elementary School in East Rockaway, NY, from 1951 to 1959; St. Leo High School in Ashley, PA, from 1959 to 1969; St. Mark High School in Wilmington, DE, from 1969 to 1970; and St. Dominic High School in Oyster Bay, NY, from 1972 to 1974.
Sister Jean was principal at Notre Dame High School in East Stroudsburg, PA, from 1970 to 1972.
At Marywood College in Scranton, PA, Sister served as the Director of Personnel Services, from 1974 to 1980, and Director of the Instructional Computer Center, from 1980 to 1982.
Sister Jean was a pastoral associate at: St. Pius X Parish in Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada, from 1982 to 1988; Little Flower Parish in Bethesda, MD, from 1990 to 1994; and St. Paul Parish in Staten Island, NY, from 1994 to 1999. She also served as a marriage tribunal auditor for the Diocese of Trenton in Lawrenceville, NJ, from 1988 to 1990.
Sister Jean also served as a librarian at Sacred Heart High School in Carbondale, PA, from 1999 to 2005; and on the staff at the Educational Enrichment Institute at the IHM Center in Scranton, PA, from 2005 to 2013.
From 2013 until the time of her death, Sister Jean was a prayer minister at Our Lady of Peace Residence in Scranton.
She was preceded in death by a brother, John Thomas, Jr., and two sisters, Catherine M. Conaty and Virginia E. Saberniak. Sister Jean is survived by a niece, Dianne Leach of DeLand, Florida. She is also survived by the members of the IHM Congregation.
The funeral will be Tuesday, January 21, at 11:00 a.m. with Mass of Christian Burial at Our Lady of Peace Residence, 1510 University Avenue in Dunmore, PA. Friends may call at Our Lady of Peace Residence on Tuesday, January 21, between 9:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. A prayer service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Interment will follow Mass on Tuesday at St. Catherine’s Cemetery in Moscow, PA.
Reflection
Given by Sister Grace Surdovel, IHM Leadership Team Member
Today we gather to celebrate the life of our dear sister and friend, Sister Jean Conaty, formerly known as Sister Mary John.
Over the last few weeks, I have been blessed to hear so many sisters, associates, staff and friends share their stories of friendship with Jean and how she impacted their lives, often in a quiet and unassuming manner. Many echoed the same phrase, which was Jean was such a great lady! I could not agree more! Our Sister Jane Ellis shared a story about when Jean helped Jane update her resume in preparation for new ministries when she returned to Scranton after a longtime ministry out of state. No fanfare, just quiet supportive assistance. IHM Associate Mary Lynn Delfino shared stories about her time getting to know Jean when Jean, Theresa Frere and I lived together in Carbondale. Mary Lynn would periodically visit our little community and could often be found sitting with Jean discussing politics, the Church, family memories as well as possible solutions to the daily New York Times crossword puzzle; usually over a cup of tea and some chocolate ice cream or candy. As Mary Lynn and so many others noted, Jean’s quiet practice of prayer, serenity and acts of love and kindness had a profound impact on those blessed to share these graced moments with Jean.
Over her many years of active ministry, Jean served as a classroom teacher, administrator, pastoral assistant and Tribunal Auditor. In 1999, our Sister Margo McCormick hired Jean to be the part time librarian at Sacred Heart High School in Carbondale, Pennsylvania.
It was at Sacred Heart that Jean and I met one another and developed a friendship that has lasted 26 years. As part of this friendship, Jean would often join me and my family for holiday and family celebrations. Over the years, Jean got to know my family well and became an adopted member of the family. I know that my sister, brother and family hold many fond memories of our time with Jean.
One of Jean’s favorite summertime adventures for many years was to visit her family at their vacation home in Cape May, New Jersey. While Jean was confident driving herself to local appointments and errands, she was more hesitant to make the five-hour trip to Cape May. So, I would happily take Jean to visit her family then stop to visit my friends outside of Princeton on the way home. These trips were a wonderful opportunity for Jean and I to connect and get to know each other on a deeper level.
More recently, when our leadership team was elected in 2022, we came to OLP to visit the sisters and thank them for their prayers. When I walked into Jean’s room, she was sitting in her chair with tears in her eyes. She gave me a long, loving hug and whispered in my ear that she was so very proud of me. She assured me of her continued prayers as I embarked on this ministry of leadership. She has never wavered in this commitment of prayer, love and friendship, despite declining health and loss of her hearing. I am very confident that these prayers, love and support will continue as Jean now enters her heavenly home.
In her prayer blessing entitled This Day We Say Grateful, poet Jan Richardson offers an expression of gratitude that can best express what so many of us are feeling today as we bid farewell to our dear Jean Conaty. I offer her words to you now.
It is a strange thing
to be so bound
and so released
all in the same moment,
to feel the heart
open wide
and wider still
even as it turns
to take its leave.
On this day,
let us say
this is simply the way
love moves
in its ceaseless spiraling,
turning us toward
one another,
then sending us
into what waits for us
with arms open wide to us
in welcome
and in hope.
On this day,
in this place
where you have
poured yourself out,
where you have been
emptied
and filled
and emptied again,
may you be aware
more than ever
of what your heart
has opened to
here,
what it has tended
and welcomed
here,
where it has broken
in love and in grief,
where it has given
and received blessing
in the unfathomable mystery
that moves us,
undoes us,
and remakes us
finally
for joy.
This day
may you know
this joy
in full measure.
This day
may you know
this blessing
that gathers you in
and sends you forth
but will not
forget you.
O hear us
as this day
we say
grace;
this day
we say
grateful;
this day
we say
blessing;
this day
we release you
in God’s keeping
and hold you
in gladness
and love.
Jean, thank you for our many years of friendship, and for your life of service to our congregation, the church and the people of God. It has been my honor and privilege to walk these past 26 years with you and call you friend. Be assured that my love, our love and prayers go with you as you return home and are reunited with family and friends. We will be sure to toast you with a bit of chocolate and a hot cup of tea as we recall many wonderful memories of our years together. Indeed, you were a great lady, and we can say with confidence and love, well done, good and faithful servant.
Donate in Sister's memory
Memorial contributions may be made to support the retired Sisters of IHM. Donate online today, or send your donation c/o the Sisters of IHM Retirement Fund, IHM Center, 2300 Adams Avenue, Scranton, PA 18509.