Sister M. Anselm Lavery, IHM

Sister M. Anselm Lavery, IHM, of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary died on Sunday, November 25, 1951, at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Carbondale, PA.

She was born on January 18, 1867 in Pleasant Mount, PA, and given the name Jane. She was the daughter of the late William and Lucinda Mains Lavery. She entered the IHM Congregation on September 8, 1885, received the religious habit on June 1, 1886, and made profession of her vows on July 12, 1888.

Sister Anselm served as a teacher at the following schools: Laurel Hill Academy in Susquehanna, PA; St. Patrick High School in Olyphant, PA; St. Joseph High School in Williamsport, PA; St. Michael’s Industrial School in Hoban Heights, PA; and St. Patrick High School in Scranton, PA.

Sister served as superior and principal at St. Joseph High School in Spokane, WA; St. Lawrence High School in Portland, OR; St. John High School in Susquehanna, PA; and St. John the Evangelist High School in Pittston, PA. She also served as the first superior of Casa Regina, a residence for girls, in Altoona, PA.

The funeral will be Tuesday, November 26 at St. Catherine’s Church in Moscow, with interment to follow at St. Catherine’s Cemetery, Moscow, PA. Friends may call on Monday after 2:00 p.m. at St. Agnes Place in Elmhurst, PA.

“The next mission opened in the West was that of Saint Joseph’s Parish, Spokane, Washington. Father De Kanter, the pastor, had built a convent and parochial school combined, a substantial three story brick structure with white stone trimmings. A band of Sisters was sent there during the summer of 1905 and the school was opened on September 8th. Sister M. Loyola was appointed superior. With her were associated Sister M. Anselm, Sister M. Catherina, Sister M. Luigi and Sister M. Mechtilde.”

Excerpted from The Sisters of the I.H.M.: The Story of The Founding of The Congregation of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary and Their Work In The Scranton Diocese by Sister M. Immaculata Gillespie, IHM, P.J. Kenedy & Sons, NY, 1921, p. 315

“The Casa Regina was formally opened on December 3, 1919. The Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary took charge on the feast of the Epiphany, January 6, 1920. Sister M. Anselm was appointed superior. Associated with her in the work are Sister M. Hermann and Sister M. Claudia. The Casa is an ideal home. Meals are served to girls other than the regular boarders, and it is expected that in a short time the home will be self-supporting. The Sisters watch carefully over the temporal and spiritual needs of the girls under their care. They conduct classes and give assistance to those who are preparing themselves for better positions. Many girls have already profited by the work of the Casa Regina.”

Excerpted from The Sisters of the I.H.M.: The Story of The Founding of The Congregation of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary and Their Work In The Scranton Diocese by Sister M. Immaculata Gillespie, IHM, P.J. Kenedy & Sons, NY, 1921, p. 476