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In Memory

Sister M. Josephine Brennan, IHM

February 12, 1905 – January 5, 1992

Sister M. Josephine Brennan, IHM, of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, died Sunday, January 5, 1992, at the Marian Convent in Scranton, Pennsylvania, after an illness.

She was born on February 12, 1905 in Green Bay, Wisconsin, and she was the daughter of the late James J. and Mary Therese Dormaux Brennan. Having moved to Scranton as a child, she entered the IHM Congregation on August 2, 1926, received the religious habit on December 29, 1926, and made profession of her vows on January 2, 1929.

Sister Josephine served as a teacher in the following IHM schools: St. Paul High School in Scranton, PA; St. Patrick High School in Scranton, PA; St. Cecilia Academy in Scranton, PA; and St. Rosalia High School in Pittsburgh, PA. She also served as a teacher at the Knights of Columbus Teachers’ College.

Sister Josephine spent the rest of her teaching career at Marywood College in Scranton, PA, where she taught Latin, Greek, English, classical cultures and civilization. She became dean of the graduate school of Marywood College in 1970, and continued in that position for nine years.

From 1979 until the time of her death, Sister Josephine served as a prayer minister at the Marian Convent.

Sister Josephine earned an Bachelor of Arts degree from Marywood College and did further study at the University of Pittsburgh. As a Latin and Greek scholar, she attained an Master of Arts and a Ph.D. degree from the Catholic University of America. She was selected to receive the Alumni Achievement Award in Education from the Catholic University of America in 1975. Her publications included a translation of the Letters of St. Jerome, which was presented to the Apostolic Delegate, by the University that year as the “Epiphany Gift.” Her academic biography is included in the Dictionary of International Biography.

She is preceded in death by a brother, James.

She is survived by nieces and nephews.

The funeral will be on Tuesday, January 7 with Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. in the Marian Convent Chapel, followed by interment at St. Catherine’s Cemetery, Moscow, Pennsylvania. Friends may call at the Marian Convent on Monday afternoon or evening.

Memorial contributions may be made to support the retired IHM Sisters c/o the IHM Sisters Retirement Fund, IHM Center, 2300 Adams Avenue, Scranton, PA 18509.

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