Sister M. Borromeo Horner, IHM

Sister M. Borromeo Horner, IHM, of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary died on Friday, November 29, 1963, at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Carbondale, PA.

She was born on November 24, 1879 in Baltimore, MD, and given the name Elizabeth. She was the daughter of the late Robert H. and Anastasia Mary O’Loughlin Horner. She entered the IHM Congregation on August 5, 1898, received the religious habit on July 15, 1899, and made profession of her vows on July 27, 1901.

Sister Borromeo was an accomplished musician. She served as a music and choir teacher at the following schools: Marywood Seminary in Scranton, PA, from 1902 to 1922; St. John the Evangelist Elementary School in Pittston, PA, from 1922 to 1926; St. Patrick Elementary School in Scranton, PA, from 1926 to 1930; St. Paul School in Edgewood, RI, from 1930 to 1931; St. Thomas Aquinas Elementary School in Archbald, PA, from 1931 to 1935; and St. John the Evangelist Elementary School in Scranton, PA, from 1936 to 1938.

Sister also gave music/signing lessons at the following convents: Sacred Hearts Convent in New York City, NY, from 1935 to 1936; Epiphany Convent in Sayre, PA, from 1938 to 1941; St. Patrick’s Orphanage in Scranton, PA, from 1941 to 1942; St. Monica Convent in Raleigh, NC, from 1942 to 1943; Most Holy Rosary Convent in Syracuse, NY, from 1943 to 1944; St. John the Evangelist Convent in Scranton, PA, from 1944 to 1945; Sacred Heart Convent in Jermyn, PA; Immaculata Convent in Lock Haven, PA; St. Raymond Convent in Lynbrook, NY, from 1952 to 1953; St. Agnes Convent in Baltimore, MD, from 1953 to 1955; Holy Rosary Convent in Scranton, PA, from 1955 to 1956; and Sacred Heart Convent in La Plata, MD. For 24 years, she served as a teacher of music, both vocal and instrumental at Marywood College in Scranton, PA.

At the time of her death, Sister Borromeo served as as prayer minister at the Marian Convent in Scranton.

She was preceded in death by a brother, William F.; and seven sisters, Fannie R. Horner, Julia A. (infant) Horner, Emily Estelle Horner, Amanda Horner, Catherine Julia Mann, Mary Grace Paine, and Sarah Suzette Louis.

She is survived by several nieces and nephews.

The funeral will be Monday, December 2 at 9:30 a.m. at the Marian Convent in Scranton, followed by interment at St. Catherine’s Cemetery in Moscow, PA.

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Archival Remembrance:

When Marywood was young and well known as Mount Saint Mary’s, Sister Borromeo’s magnificent voice contributed much to the esteem and the welfare of our community and particularly to the Seminary. She had entered from her home in Baltimore, and at that time did not realize the greatness of the gift God had given her. In the postulate her voice was discovered, and out community left nothing undone to develop her beautiful talent. Benediction on Sunday afternoons brought to the Mount, as it was called, bevies of young girls from our nearby schools; and the splendid singing to which Sister Borromeo so masterfully contributed, made a deep impression on these girls, many of whom became members of our community.

After twenty-four years at Marywood, Sister served as music teacher in several of our missions. Again her well-trained voice enhanced her teaching and gave joy to our sisters, when on occasion she sparkled their recreation by her beautiful singing. Years brought the sorrow of deafness, and her song was seldom heard.

All who lived with Sister Borromeo recognized her prayer life. Each day her holy hour was devoutly kept. Her spare time was her opportunity to spend extra moments with her divine Spouse. She gave her “all” to God, and we may fervently hope that His reward to her is exceeding great. May she rest in peace.

Note: Mother’s first name could also be spelled as “Annastacia” and she may have been known as Stacia.