Sister M. Evangelist Schaefer, IHM

Sister M. Evangelist Schaefer, IHM, of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary died on Monday, March 29, 1948, at St. Mary’s Hospital in Scranton, PA.

She was born on April 30, 1898, in Scranton, PA, and given the name Mary Elizabeth. She was the daughter of Margaret Loch Schaefer and the late the Adolph Schaefer. She entered the IHM Congregation on May 4, 1917, received the religious habit on August 2, 1917, and made profession of her vows on August 2, 1919.

Sister Evangelist served as a domestic at the following: St. Lawrence Convent in Portland, OR; IHM Academy at Coeur d’Alene, ID; Sacred Hearts Convent in New York, NY; and St. Joseph’s Children’s and Maternity Hospital in Scranton, PA.

She was preceded in death by two brothers, Carl and John Schaefer.

In addition to her mother, Margaret Schaefer McNeeley of Waverly, NY, she is also survived by a brother, James Schaefer of Scranton, PA; five sisters, Sister M. Conrad Schaefer, IHM, at St. Cecilia’s Convent in Wyoming, PA, Margarite Layton of Seattle, WA, Gertrude Wehrung of Wakefield, MA, Sally (McNeeley) McKercher of Endicott, NY, and Marie Schreck of Waverly, NY; nieces and nephews.

The funeral will be Wednesday, March 31, at 10:00 a.m. in the chapel at St. Joseph’s Children’s and Maternity Hospital. Interment will follow at St. Catherine’s Cemetery in Moscow, PA.

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Archival remembrance:

Sister Evangelist was a stately yet humble Sister, Servant. She is remembered for a wonderful community spirit that knew the inter-dependence of body, mind and spirit. The manner in which she presented food and drink and looked out for the homemaking in the convent drew her sisters in religious to a deep love for her. She kneaded “OUR FATHERs” into daily bread for the needy. She was true to her name Evangelist, bearer of good news.