Sister M. Winifred Collins, IHM
December 2, 1888 – November 24, 1960
Sister M. Winifred Collins, IHM, of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary died on Thursday, November 24, 1960 at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Carbondale, PA.
She was born on December 2, 1888 in Scranton, PA, and given the name Claire. She was the daughter of the late Patrick and Elizabeth Earley Collins. She entered the IHM Congregation on September 8, 1910, received the religious habit on August 2, 1911, and made profession of her vows on August 2, 1913.
Sister Winifred served as a teacher at the following schools: St. Rosalia Elementary School in Pittsburgh, PA, from 1913 to 1914 and 1933 to 1936; St. Alphonsus Elementary School in New York City, NY, from 1914 to 1919; St. John Elementary School in Susquehanna, PA, from 1919 to 1920; St. Patrick Elementary School in Spangler, PA, from 1920 to 1921; St. Bernard Elementary School in Hastings, PA, from 1921 to 1925; Our Lady of Mount Carmel Elementary School in Altoona, PA, from 1925 to 1928; St. Joseph Elementary School in Danville, PA, from 1928 to 1929; St. Patrick Elementary School in Scranton, PA, from 1929 to 1932; St. Paul Elementary School in Scranton, PA, from 1932 to 1933; St. John the Evangelist Elementary School in Pittston, PA, from 1936 to 1940; Sacred Heart of Mary Elementary School in Jermyn, PA, in 1940; St. John the Evangelist Elementary School in Scranton, PA, in 1941; St. Rose Elementary School in Carbondale, PA, from 1941 to 1944; St. John the Evangelist Elementary School in Bellefonte, PA, in 1944; and St. Michael’s School for Boys in Hoban Heights, PA, from 1944 to 1958.
From 1959 until the time of her death, Sister Winifred served as a prayer minister at the Marian Convent in Scranton.
She was preceded in death by two brothers, Victor and Joseph, and two sisters, Mary J. Thomas and Rose Collins.
She is survived by two sisters, Elizabeth Donnelly of Pittstown, NJ, and Dorothy McAuley of Elizabeth, NJ, a brother, Anthony of Rochester, NY, nieces and nephews.
The funeral will be Monday, November 27 at 9:30 am in the Marian Convent Chapel, Scranton, followed by interment at St. Catherine’s Cemetery in Moscow, PA. Friends may call on Sunday at the Marian Convent.
Archival Remembrance:
For several years Sister M. Winifred (Collins) had been a patient sufferer, and last August she was transferred to the Marian Convent for treatment and a well-deserved rest. There she made a deep impression on her Sisters by her thoughtful kindness and her gentle, generous spirit. She made herself loved and revered, and many kind deeds are related of her. She underwent a serious operation, and was on the road to recovery when a circulatory condition arose, causing her death on Thanksgiving afternoon.
Sister Winifred’s teaching experience was with young children. For the past fourteen years, she cared for orphans and neglected children at St. Michael’s, Hoban Heights. She was always kind and considerate. May God grant eternal rest to this humble, gentle Sister who spent herself doing kind, thoughtful little deeds for others.
Donate in Sister's memory
Memorial contributions may be made to support the retired Sisters of IHM. Donate online today, or send your donation c/o the Sisters of IHM Retirement Fund, IHM Center, 2300 Adams Avenue, Scranton, PA 18509.