Sister M. Cornelia Tallman, IHM

Sister M. Cornelia Tallman, IHM, of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary died on Sunday, March 21, 1965, at the Marian Convent in Scranton, PA.

She was born on June 27, 1883, in Binghamton, NY, and given the name Johanna (Anna) Madeline. She was the daughter of the late John and Mary Shea Tallman. She entered the IHM Congregation on April 7, 1902, received the religious habit on July 31, 1902, and made profession of her vows on August 2, 1904.

Sister Cornelia served as a teacher at the following schools: St. Joseph School in Williamsport, PA, from 1904 to 1905; St. Rose School in Carbondale, PA, from 1905 to 1908; St. Leo School in Ashley, PA, from 1908 to 1909; St. Mary of the Mount School in Pittsburgh, PA, from 1909 to 1910; St. Patrick School in Scranton, PA, from 1910 to 1913 and 1926 to 1929; St. Mary Elementary School in Avoca, PA, from 1921 to 1926; St. John the Evangelist School in Scranton, PA, from 1913 to 1921; St. Thomas Aquinas School in Archbald, PA, from 1929 to 1931; St. Joseph School in Williamsport, PA, from 1931 to 1934; St. Mary of the Mount School in Pittsburgh, PA, from 1934 to 1936; St. Ann School in Scranton, PA, from 1936 to 1937; St. Cecilia School in Exeter, PA, from 1937 to 1938; Immaculata High School in New York, NY, from 1938 to 1942; All Saints School in Masontown, PA, from 1954 to 1957; Our Lady Queen of Martyrs School in Forest Hills, NY, from 1957 to 1958; St. Dominic School in Oyster Bay, NY, from 1958 to 1959; and St. Mary-John School in Cresson, PA, from 1959 to 1960.

Sister served as principal at the following schools: St. Agnes School in Lock Haven, PA, from 1942 to 1945; St. Patrick School in Scranton, PA, from 1945 to 1948; Immaculata High School in New York, NY, from 1948 to 1951; and Epiphany School in Sayre, PA, from 1951 to 1954.

From 1960 until the time of her death, Sister Cornelia was a prayer minister at the Marian Convent.

She earned a Master of Music degree from the University of Pennsylvania.

She was preceded in death by two sisters, Florence Mary and Clare Cornelia Tallman.

She is survived by two brothers, James Aloysius of Columbus, OH, and Edward John of St. Petersburg, FL; nieces and nephews.

The funeral will be on Wednesday, March 24, at 9:30 a.m. at the Marian Convent, with interment to follow at St. Catherine’s Cemetery, Moscow, PA. Friends may call on Tuesday afternoon after 2:00 pm at the Marian Convent.

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Archival Remembrance:

Sister Cornelia came to our novitiate with splendid musical training which she had received at Saint Paul’s School, Scranton. In the community, she continued her musical education, studying under masters, and was one of the first of our Sisters to receive a Master of Music degree from the University of Pennsylvania. The second period of her religious life was devoted to schools, both as teacher and principal. She was a thorough teacher, whether in music or in classroom. Her scholarship, her wide reading, and her art enriched many lives. She had mastered the art of good conversation, and easily held the interest of her Sister companions. The last few years of her life were clouded by illness, but she struggled to regain the strength she was so keenly aware of losing. She yearned to continue her active life, but as God’s good servant, she quietly and resignedly surrendered her soul to God. May she rest in peace.