Sister M. Theresa Bernard Yates, IHM

Sister M. Theresa Bernard Yates, IHM, of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary died on Thursday, May 22, 1997, at the Marian Convent in Scranton, PA.

She was born on July 30, 1904, in Grafton, WV, and given the name Ethel. She was the daughter of the late Marion and Ida Ann Hartley Yates. She entered the IHM Congregation on November 23, 1927, made temporary profession of her vows on August 2, 1930, and final profession of her vows on August 1, 1933.

Sister Theresa Bernard served as a teacher at the following schools: St. Thomas Aquinas Elementary School in Archbald, PA, from 1930 to 1932; St. Dominic Elementary School in Oyster Bay, NY, from 1932 to 1943; St. Mary Elementary School in Manhasset, NY, from 1943 to 1957; Archbishop Neale Elementary School in La Plata, MD, from 1957 to 1958; St. Mary Elementary School in Goldsboro, NC, from 1958 to 1966; and St. Thomas Elementary School in Bedford, from 1983 to 1988. She also taught at elementary schools located in Pittsburgh, PA.

From 1988 until the time of her death, Sister Theresa Bernard was a prayer minister at the Marian Convent.

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

She was preceded in death by a brother, Earl.

She is survived by a sister, Etta Maudell Nuzum; and several nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.

The funeral will be Wednesday, May 28, at 10:30 a.m. at the Marian Convent. Interment will follow at St. Catherine’s Cemetery, Moscow, PA. Friends may call Tuesday after 2:00 p.m. at the Marian Convent.

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Archival Remembrance:

From Grafton, West Virginia, Sister Theresa Bernard Yates found her way to the IHM Congregation where she spent 67 years of loving service. With great warmth and a gentle sense of humor, Sister Theresa Bernard entered the lives of those with whom she lived and worked and radiated the love of God she embraced. Her sensitive heart and endless encouragement of others made her an effective and beloved teacher. Her service as an educator took her to elementary schools located in Pennsylvania, New York, Maryland and North Carolina.