Sister M. Thecla McAvoy, IHM

Sister M. Thecla McAvoy, IHM, of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, died Wednesday, May 20, 1981, at the Marian Convent in Scranton, PA.

She was born on May 8, 1889 in Rock Lake, PA, and given the name Martha. She was the daughter of the late Paul A. and Hannah Kane McAvoy. Before entering the community, she served as a teacher in Mount Pleasant Township, PA. She entered the IHM Congregation on September 8, 1918, received the religious habit on August 2, 1919, and made profession of her vows on August 2, 1921.

Sister Thecla served as an intermediate grade teacher at the following schools: St. Michael’s School for Boys in Hoban Heights, PA; Epiphany Elementary School in Sayre, PA; St. John the Evangelist Elementary School in Pittston, PA; St. Mary Elementary School in Avoca, PA; and Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Elementary School in Altoona, PA. She also taught at elementary schools located Cresson, PA. Sister also served as principal in several of those schools.

She was preceded in death by five sisters, Sarah Theresa McAvoy, Mary Gertrude Evans, Rose Estella (Stella) Gunn, Hannah Loretta (Loretta) Bigelow, and Josephine Constance McGarry; and four brothers, William John, Matthew James, Paul Norbert, and Benedict Joseph.

She is survived by several nieces and nephews.

The funeral will be Saturday, May 23, at 9:30 a.m. with Mass of Christian Burial at the Marian Convent. Interment will follow at St. Catherine’s Cemetery in Moscow, PA. Friends may call on Friday afternoon or evening at the Marian Convent.