Sister Maria Laurence Maher, IHM

Sister Maria Laurence Maher, IHM, of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, died Wednesday, May 30, 1984, at the Marian Convent in Scranton, PA.

She was born on July 16, 1897 in Hop Bottom, PA, and given the name Elizabeth. She was daughter of the late Joseph and Margaret Kerner Maher. She entered the IHM Congregation on September 8, 1924, received the religious habit on December 29, 1924, and made profession of her vows on August 15, 1926.

Sister Maria Laurence served on the faculty at Most Holy Rosary High School in Syracuse, NY, and Laurel Hill Academy in Susquehanna, PA.

Sister also served on the faculty of Marywood College in Scranton, PA, from 1946 to 1979. During that time, she taught biological sciences and served as chairperson of the biology department.

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

She earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Marywood College, a Master of Arts degree in biology from Villanova, and a Doctor of Philosophy degree from Fordham University.

She was preceded in death by two sisters, Catherine Maher and Agnes Gordon.

She is survived by four brothers, Joseph and Edward of Hop Bottom, PA, William of Cape Coral, FL, and John of Norwich, CT; two sisters, Lenore Philhower of Glen Ridge, NJ, and Mary McElhenny, Spartanburg, SC; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins, including Monsignor Robert McNulty, pastor of St. Clare’s Church, Scranton, PA, Sister Maria Augustine Maher, IHM, of the Marian Convent in Scranton, PA, and Sister Joseph Maher, IHM, of Baltimore, MD.

The funeral will be Saturday, June 2, at 10:00 a.m. with Mass of Christian Burial the Marian Convent, followed by interment at St. Catherine’s Cemetery, Moscow, PA. Friends may call on Friday afternoon or evening at the Marian Convent.