Sister M. Aurelia Doggett, IHM

Sister M. Aurelia Doggett, IHM, of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary died on Thursday, December 23, 1965, at the Marian Convent in Scranton, PA.

She was born on January 28, 1870 in Freeland, PA, and given the name Margaret (Maggie). She was the daughter of the late Michael and Catherine Gannon Doggett. She entered the IHM Congregation on September 15, 1888, received the religious habit on December 27, 1888, and made profession of her vows on August 2, 1891.

Sister Aurelia served as a teacher at the following schools: St. Paul Elementary School in Scranton, PA, from 1891 to 1893; St. Joseph Elementary School in Williamsport, PA, from 1893 to 1898 and 1927 to 1941; St. Cecilia Academy in Scranton, PA, from 1898 to 1914; and Most Holy Rosary Elementary School in Syracuse, NY, from 1920 to 1923.

Sister served as principal at the following schools: Holy Rosary Elementary School in Scranton, PA, from 1914 to 1919; All Saints Elementary School in Masontown, PA, from 1919 to 1920; St. Patrick Elementary School in Spangler, PA, from 1923 to 1925; St. Leo Elementary School in Ashley, PA, from 1925 to 1926; and St. John Elementary School in Susquehanna, PA, from 1926 to 1927.

Sister Aurelia also served as school librarian at Holy Rosary Elementary School in Scranton, PA, from 1941 to 1950, and St. Ann Elementary School in Scranton, PA, from 1950 to 1959.

From 1959 until the time of her death, Sister Aurelia served as a prayer minister at the Marian Convent.

She was preceded in death by a seven brothers, Edward, Richard, Thomas, William, George, John, and Joseph Paul; and four sisters, Mary Moore, Nellie McGarry, Kate Brannigan, and Elizabeth (Lizzie) Dever.

She is survived by a sister, Agnes Gallagher of Lawrence, MA; and several nieces and nephews, including three members of the Sisters of Mercy, Sister Anne de Beaupré Doggett, RSM, of Towanda, PA, Sister Mary Judith Doggett, RSM, of Wilkes-Barre, PA, and Sister Mary Mercy Doggett, RSM, of Babylon, NY, and Reverend Joseph Doggett, vicar adiutor of St. Thomas Parish in Dickson City, PA.

The funeral will be Monday, December 28 at 9:30 a.m. at the Marian Convent in Scranton, followed by interment at St. Catherine’s Cemetery in Moscow, PA. Friends may call on Sunday after 2:00 p.m. at the Marian Convent.

Archival Remembrance:

Sister M. Aurelia Doggett, distinguished for her exquisite manners and her clipped, correct speech, was a religious lady, and excellent teacher, and a cheerful, interesting companion. After a few years in the grade schools in Scranton and Williamsport, Sister Aurelia was marked for more responsibility and became Principal in our schools in Scranton, Masontown, Spangler, Ashley and Susquehanna. Her fine scholarship made learning a joy and her own flawless manners were easily communicated to all the high-school students who came under her care. Even in her golden years she wished to extend herself, so she assisted in the library in Holy Rosary School and St. Ann’s School, both in Scranton. The last six years of her life Sister M. Aurelia spent at the Marian Convent, where she retained the honored position of senior Sister of our community for ten years. Here her cheerful manner made the days pass pleasantly for her companions. The end came, at the age of ninety-five, suddenly after a fall. May her Divine Spouse grant her the reward promised to the faithful religious.