Sister M. Felicitas Ryan, IHM

Sister M. Felicitas Ryan, IHM, of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, died Saturday, December 17, 1988, at the Marian Convent in Scranton, PA.

She was born March 10, 1896, in Susquehanna, PA, and given the name Marion Elizabeth. She was the daughter of the late Martin J. and Mary Jane Callahan Ryan. She entered the IHM Congregation on December 8, 1912, received the religious habit on August 2, 1913, and made profession of her vows on July 6, 1915.

Sister Felicitas served as principal and superior at the following schools: Holy Rosary School in Scranton, PA; St. Rosalia School in Pittsburgh, PA; St. Ephrem School in Brooklyn, NY; St. Patrick School in Oneida, NY; and St. Matthew School in East Stroudsburg, PA. She was an education consultant for schools staffed by the IHM Sisters for a period of twelve years, and later taught in the Marywood College Departments of Theology and English.

Sister also served as a member of the General Council of the IHM Congregation, and the Marywood College Board of Trustees. She was the founder of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Education Conference, a professional organization of the three branches of the IHM Congregation in Monroe, MI, and Immaculata and Scranton, PA.

Sister wrote the music for the Marywood College Alma Mater in 1918, while she served there as a music teacher.

From 1984 until the time of her death, Sister Felicitas was a prayer minister at the Marian Convent.

She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in music and English from the University of Pennsylvania, a Master of Arts degree in music from the University of Chicago, and a Master of Arts degree in theology from Marywood College. She also earned a certificate in theology from the Catholic University of America; and did further graduate study at the University of Toronto, Stanford University, and the University of Geneva in Switzerland.

She was preceded in death by three brothers, Dr. Martin Jr., Francis E., and Paul M.; and two sisters, Margaret and Lucille M. Ryan.

She is survived by nieces and nephews.

The funeral will be Tuesday, December 20, at 10:30 a.m. with Mass of Christian Burial at the Marian Convent. Intement will follow at St. Catherine’s Cemetery in Moscow, PA. Friends may call on Monday afternoon or evening at the Marian Convent.

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Archival Remembrances:

In her long career in education, Sister Felicitas served as a music teacher at the elementary, secondary and college level. As supervisor of music for IHM staffed schools, she composed a course of study and established the teaching of music as an integral part of the curriculum in these schools.

Sister Felicitas served as principal and local superior at schools located in New York and Pennsylvania. She was education consultant for schools staffed by the IHM Sisters for a period of twelve years, and taught in the Marywood College Departments of Theology and English.

Sister Felicitas also served as a member of the General Council of the IHM Congregation and the Marywood College Board of Trustees. She was the founder of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Education Conference, a professional organization of the three branches of the IHM Congregation in Monroe, Michigan; Immaculata and Scranton, Pennsylvania. The IHM Conference is still active today.

In 1977, Sister Felicitas took up semi-retired residence at Maria Regina High School in Uniondale, New York, and in 1984, she came to the Marian Convent at Marywood.

She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in music and English, a Master of Arts degree in music, and a Master of Arts degree in theology. She also earned a certificate in theology from the Catholic University of America; and did further graduate study at the University of Toronto, Stanford University, and the University of Geneva in Switzerland, among others.

Marion E. Ryan was born in Susquehanna, PA in 1896. She attended Laurel Hill Academy in Susquehanna, PA; and entered the Community at Mount Saint Mary’s in 1912. In 1918, she was assigned to Marywood College as a music teacher, and was there at the time she wrote the music for the Alma Mater. Little did we know what a great contribution she would make to Marywood College at that time. Over her career, she attended schools in the United States, Canada, Switzerland, England, Spain, and Ireland. Is it any wonder she was appointed Supervisor of Schools for the Community?