Sister M. Celestine Ryan, IHM

Sister M. Celestine Ryan, IHM, of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, died Tuesday, December 6, 1983, at the Marian Convent in Scranton, PA.

She was born on August 26, 1899, in Danville, PA, and given the name Ursula. She was the daughter of the late Patrick and Catherine Roddy Ryan. She entered the IHM Congregation on February 2, 1921, received the religious habit on August 2, 1921, and made profession of her vows on August 15, 1923.

Sister Celestine served as a teacher at the following schools: St. Patrick Elementary School in Spangler, PA; St. Bernard Elementary School in Hastings, PA; St. Mary Elementary School in Patton, PA; St. Mary-John School in Cresson, PA; St. Joseph Elementary School in Danville, PA; St. Basil Elementary School in Dushore, PA; Sacred Heart of Mary Elementary School in Jermyn, PA; Most Holy Rosary Elementary School in Syracuse, NY; St. Mary of Mt. Carmel Elementary School in Dunmore, PA; St. Leo Elementary School in Ashley, PA; St. Mary Elementary School in Avoca, PA; and St. Cecilia Elementary School in Exeter, PA. She also taught at elementary schools located in Williamsport and Lock Haven, PA.

Sister also served as a catechetical instructor at St. Agnes Catechetical Center in Forest City, PA.

From 1974 until the time of her death, Sister Celestine was a prayer minister at the Marian Convent.

She was preceded in death by a brother, Daniel, and two sisters, Catherine Ryan and Helen Brown.

She is survived by two sisters, Anna and Mary Ryan, and two brothers, Michael and James, all of Danville, PA; a niece, Celestine Jordan of Denton, MD; and a nephew, William Brown. A grandniece, Theresa “Terri” Jordan, is a candidate in the IHM Congregation.

The funeral will be Saturday, December 10, at 10:30 a.m. with Mass of Christian Burial at the Marian Convent. Interment will be at St. Catherine’s Cemetery, Moscow, PA. Friends may call on Friday afternoon or evening at the Marian Convent.

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Archival Remembrance:

In a long and varied teaching career, Sister Celestine taught at all the levels from kindergarten to eighth grade. She was stationed at IHM schools in Pennsylvania and New York, and did C.C.D. work at St. Agnes in Forest City. In 1974, Sister Celestine retired to the Marian Convent because of poor health.