Sister M. Bernarda Stanton, IHM

Sister M. Bernarda Stanton, IHM, of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary died on Tuesday, August 9, 1966, at the Marian Convent in Scranton, PA.

She was born on January 5, 1877, in Fountain, MN, and given the name Sarah. She was the daughter of the late John and Bridget Revels Stanton. She entered the IHM Congregation on March 25, 1905, received the religious habit on August 15, 1905, and made profession of her vows on July 16, 1907.

Sister Bernarda served as a teacher at the following schools: St. Patrick Elementary School in Scranton, PA, from 1908 to 1913; St. Rose Elementary School in Carbondale, PA, from 1913 to 1920; St. Leo Elementary School in Ashley, PA, from 1920 to 1923; St. Paul Elementary School in Scranton, PA, from 1923 to 1926; St. John the Evangelist Elementary School in Pittston, PA, from 1926 to 1936; IHM Academy in Coeur d’Alene, ID, from 1936 to 1942; St. Thomas Regional School in Providence, RI, from 1947 to 1953; St. Ann Elementary School in Devon, CT, from 1953 to 1954; and St. Mary Elementary School in Avoca, PA, from 1954 to 1957.

She served as superior at St. Thomas’ Convent in Providence, RI, from 1947 to 1953, and in childcare for resident children at St. Joseph’s Shelter in Scranton, PA, from 1942 to 1947.

From 1957 until the time of her death, Sister Bernarda was a prayer minister at the Marian Convent.

She was preceded in death by three brothers, John H., Michael Joseph, and James Francis, and three sisters, Mary Ann Ollendike, Margaret J. Corcoran and Nellie Hoban.

She is survived by nieces and nephews.

The funeral will be Friday, August 12, at 9:30 a.m. at the Marian Convent, with interment to follow at St. Catherine’s Cemetery, Moscow, PA. Friends may call on Thursday afternoon and evening at the Marian Convent.

Archival Remembrance:
Sister Bernarda was a gentle, humble Sister who always exemplified our Lord’s promise that His yoke is sweet, His burden light. All who lived with her remember her as a gracious, calm, holy religious, who tried to live in the presence of God. Her happy spirit communicated itself to her companions in the Marian Convent. Resignedly she prepared for God’s coming and prayed fervently for a happy death.