Sister M. Benigna Ball, IHM

Sister M. Benigna Ball, IHM, of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary died on Sunday, December 22, 1996, at the Marian Community Hospital in Carbondale, PA.

She was born March 9, 1905 in Archbald, PA, and given the name Dorothy B. She was the daughter of the late William H. and Bridget Loftus Ball. She entered the IHM Congregation on September 8, 1923, made temporary profession of her vows on August 15, 1925, and final profession of her vows on September 8, 1931.

Sister Benigna served as a teacher at the following schools: St. Cecilia Elementary School in Exeter, PA, from 1925 to 1926; St. Matthew Elementary School in East Stroudsburg, from 1956 to 1957; St. Paul High School in Scranton, PA, from 1962 to 1969; Bishop Hannan High School in Scranton, PA, from 1969 to 1970; Epiphany School in Sayre, PA; St. Patrick Elementary School in Spangler, PA; St. Patrick School in Oneida, NY; Most Holy Rosary School in Syracuse, NY; St. John the Evangelist Elementary School in Binghamton, NY; St. Rita Elementary School in Dundalk, MD; and St. Paul School in Cranston, RI; as well as at schools located in Lynbrook and Manhasset, New York; and Raleigh, NC.

Sister Benigna served as principal at the following schools: St. Cecilia Elementary School in Exeter, PA, from 1946 to 1948; Nativity of Our Lord Elementary School in Scranton, PA, from 1948 to 1954; and Sacred Heart of Mary Elementary School in Jermyn, PA, from 1954 to 1956.

From 1970 until the time of her death, she served in prayer ministry at the River Street Convent, Cathedral Convent and the Marian Convent, all in Scranton, PA.

She received a Bachelor of Arts degree in English/French, and a Master of Arts degree in Education and English, both from Marywood College.

She was preceded in death by a sister, Sister M. Consolata, IHM; three brothers, William, Joseph and Ambrose; and a cousin, Sister M. Charitas Loftus, IHM.

She is survived by cousins, including Jack Burke of Dunmore, PA, grandnieces and grandnephews.

The funeral will be on Saturday, December 28 at 10:00 a.m. with Mass of Christian Burial at the Marian Convent. Interment will follow Mass on Saturday at St. Catherine’s Cemetery, Moscow, PA. Friends may call at the Marian Convent on Friday after 2:00 p.m.