Sister M. Dolores Ryan, IHM

Sister M. Dolores Ryan, IHM, of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary died on Tuesday, October 14, 2003, at the Marian Convent in Scranton, PA.

She was born on March 27, 1910 in Cork, Ireland, and given the name Esther J. She was the daughter of the late James and Gertrude Blayer Ryan. She entered the IHM Congregation on July 31, 1929, made temporary profession of her vows on April 21, 1932, and final profession of her vows on August 2, 1935.

Sister Dolores served as a teacher at the following schools: St. Paul Elementary School in Scranton, PA; St. Patrick Elementary School in Spangler, PA; St. Patrick Elementary School in Oneida, NY; St. Ann Elementary School in Nyack, NY; and St. Mary School in Goldsboro, NC. She also taught at elementary schools located in Lock Haven, PA, and Forest Hills and Manhasset, NY.

Sister Dolores was a prayer minister in Pittsburgh, PA, in 1989, and at the Marian Convent from 1990 until her death.

She received a Bachelor of Science degree in education from Marywood College.

She was preceded in death by five brothers, Michael, Timothy, James, Arthur, and Daniel; and two sisters, Eileen Ryan and Hannah Murphy.

She is survived by nephews and nieces, including, Michael Ryan of Dublin, Ireland, Gertrude Kavanagh of Cork City, Ireland, Esther Ryng of Cork, Ireland, and Mary Hurley of Morton Grove, IL; and a grandniece, Ann Healy of Mundelein, IL.

The funeral will be Saturday, October 18, at 9:30 a.m. with Mass of Christian Burial at the Marian Convent, followed by interment at St. Catherine’s Cemetery, Moscow, PA. Friends may call on Friday between 2:00 and 8:00 p.m. at the Marian Convent.

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The Congregation of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary benefited from the efforts to bring young women from Ireland to Scranton, Pennsylvania.

Over the years a total of sixty-five young women became professed IHM religious. Their services were received as far west at Coeur d’Alene, Idaho at the IHM Academy and at St. Edward School, Twin Falls, Idaho. The southern missions witnessed their dedication in Washington, Raleigh, and Rocky Mount, North Carolina. It was remarked that black children in some southern schools were speaking with an Irish brogue! The Sisters from Ireland also served in many locations in Pennsylvania, such as Dushore, Lock Haven, Exeter, Altoona, Pittsburgh, St. Michael’s School in Hoban Heights, Cresson, Pittston, Scranton, and Williamsport. New York and Rhode Island missions also received their services.

Excerpted from The Story of the Native Irish Sisters Who Entered the Congregation of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Scranton Pennsylvania by Sister M. Michel Keenan, IHM, 2006, p.18