Sister Kathleen Toner, IHM
March 6, 1944 – November 19, 2003
Sister Kathleen Toner, IHM, (formerly known as Sister M. St. Hugh) of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary died on November 19, 2003, at the Marian Convent in Scranton, PA.
Born on March 6, 1944 in New York, NY, she was the daughter of the late Hugh A. Toner and Jean Brown Toner. She entered the IHM Congregation on September 8, 1962, made temporary profession of her vows on June 27, 1965 and final profession of her vows on August 22, 1970.
Sister Kathleen served as a teacher at the Marywood Seminary in Scranton, from 1966 to 1968; and St. Mary’s Seminary in Baltimore, MD. She served as a faculty member at Marywood College in Scranton, from 1974 to 1975 and 1977 to 1978; and Catholic University in Washington, DC.
Sister Kathleen was the founder and director of Samaritan House in Brooklyn, NY, a temporary residence for homeless women and children, and served there from 1986 to 1999.
From 1999 until the time of her death, Sister Kathleen was prayer minister at the Marian Convent.
She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English, a Master of Arts degree in religious education, both from Marywood College, and a Doctorate in Sacred Theology (S.T.D.) from Catholic University in Washington, DC.
She is survived by two brothers, Hugh Patrick of Gaithersburg, MD, and Michael of Centereach, NY; a sister, Maureen Barry of Rochester, NY; nephews and nieces.
The funeral will be Monday, November 24, at 10:30 a.m. with Mass of Christian Burial at the Marian Convent, followed by interment at St. Catherine Cemetery, Moscow, PA. Friends may call at the Marian Convent on Sunday, November 23, between 2:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.
A Memorial Tribute
A memorial tribute was made to Sr. Kathleen Toner in an article in the December issue of The Lymphoma Foundation News.
“What would she want us to say? What would she want us to do about remembering her life? She would want us to be silent. She would insist on self-effacement and quiet. But our voices cry out and our hearts weep over the death and the loss of this gentle but powerful woman.”
“If you can imagine how a physician can find a deep inner warmth for his patients… those who survive and those who are lost… to cancers that the physician was determined to cure… then you can imagine the intense feelings I had for Kathleen. And I was not alone in my special love for Kathleen. I shared that love with all who knew her and who received her help in both practical and spiritual ways either as the founder and developer of Samaritan House for abused women and children or as a first-class research assistant when we worked together analyzing the data regarding the uniquely successful RT-TVP radiation chemotherapy combination or the recording of the marvelous miracle of post-chemotherapy successful pregnancies enjoyed by so many young women or as she applied her compassionate understanding of human nature to give needed counsel to so many men, women and children in their time of woe and social desperation.”
“In the end as in the beginning when Kathleen first appeared twenty-five years ago for treatment of her stage IV Hodgkin’s disease that had invaded her lungs and so many other parts of her body… she fought to survive… and until that final illness she repeatedly rose up from almost certain death to accomplish great societal works. It is with gratitude that we incorporate Kathleen’s example of the best in human behavior and adopt her willful presence into our own sense of being… that allows us to carry her spirit forward in ourselves and to pass this on to our children and their children, to be sure to eventually achieve the ideal world of Kathleen’s hopes and dreams.”
by Dr. Mortimer J. Lacher, M.D.
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.
I first met Sister Kathleen Turner at Samaritan House in 1998. She was the founder and director, but to those of us whose lives she touched, she was so much more. Sister Kathleen welcomed me and my children with warmth, kindness, and compassion. She made us feel as though Samaritan House was our home, and we were part of her family. Her guidance, encouragement, and caring spirit helped me through a difficult time in my life. She was one of the most influential and inspiring people I have ever known. For many years, I searched for her, hoping to find her again and thank her for all she had done. The last time I saw her, she was not well, and I never had the opportunity to see her again. Learning of her passing in 2003 broke my heart. Sister Kathleen’s love, generosity, and dedication to serving others left a lasting impact on countless lives, including mine. I will always remember her with gratitude and affection. May she rest in God’s eternal peace. She is deeply missed but will never be forgotten.
Sister Kathleen, I wish I had the chance to tell you how much my life has changed and how far I have come. Through the years, I found my way back to God, and I often think of the kindness, guidance, and faith you shared with me and my children at Samaritan House. Thank you for believing in me when I needed it most. I truly believe you have been one of the angels watching over me. You are deeply loved, remembered, and missed.
“Well done, good and faithful servant.” Matthew 25:23 ❤️