Sister Marianne Addy, IHM

Sister Marianne Addy, IHM, of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary died on Wednesday, January 31, 2018 at Our Lady of Peace Residence in Scranton.

She was born on July 15, 1922 in Brooklyn, NY and given the name Dolores. She was the daughter of the late Harry J. and Anna Campbell Addy. She entered the IHM Congregation on September 8, 194, made temporary profession of her vows on May 8, 1944, and her final profession of vows on August 2, 1947.

Sister Marianne served as a teacher at the following schools: St. Matthew Elementary School in Stroudsburg, PA, from 1944 to 1945; St. Monica Elementary School in Raleigh, NC, from 1945 to 1952; Mother of Mercy High School in Washington, NC, from 1952 to 1956; South Scranton Catholic High School in Scranton, PA, from 1956 to 1958; St. Patrick High School in Scranton, PA, from 1958 to 1970; and Maria Regina Diocesan High School in Uniondale, NY, from 1971 to 1977.

Sister served as principal at the following schools: Marywood Seminary High School in Scranton, PA, from 1970 to 1971, and Sacred Heart High School in Carbondale, PA, from 1977 to 1980.

Sister Marianne also served as parish minister at Corpus Christi Parish in Montdale, PA, and the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine Coordinator at Sacred Heart Parish in Mayfield, PA, from 1980 to 1983; director of development at Bishop Hoban High School in Wilkes-Barre, PA, from 1983 to 1988; and director of public relations in the Diocese of Scranton in Scranton, PA, from 1988 to 2002. She also served on various diocesan and not-for-profit boards.

From 2003 until the time of her death, Sister Marianne served as a prayer minister at the Marian Convent and Our Lady of Peace Residence in Scranton.

She received a Bachelor of Arts degree in English/Art and Master of Science degree in religious education both from Marywood College and a Master of Arts degree in English from the University of Scranton.

She was preceded in death by a brother, Robert J.; and a sister, Annmarie Hydell.

She is survived by a niece, Ruth Ann Iwersen, of Farmingville, NY, and the members of the IHM Congregation.

The funeral will be Monday, February 5, at 11:00 a.m. with Mass of Christian Burial at Our Lady of Peace Residence, 2300 Adams Avenue in Scranton. Friends may call at Our Lady of Peace Residence on Sunday, February 4, between 3:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. A prayer service will be held at 4:00 p.m. Interment will follow Mass on Monday at St. Catherine’s Cemetery in Moscow, PA.

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.

Funeral: https://video.ibm.com/recorded/112574266

Vespers: https://video.ibm.com/recorded/112553842

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Reprinted from “In Memoriam” section of Journey, Spring 2018 issue

Reflection given by Sister Ellen Maroney, IHM Congregation President

Sister Marianne Addy, funeral February 5, 2018

“No individual has any right to come…and go… in this life without leaving behind distinct and legitimate reasons for having passed through. (George Washington Carver)

How true this statement is regarding Marianne’s life and her own beliefs. She loved life and was constantly moving, literally and figuratively, on to the next project or person that needed attention. She lived life committed to making a difference, but always through the single lens of her love for God. Her friendships were many and diverse, a sign of her open and generous heart. During these last years, when her disease pulled her away from us, she witnessed to the incredible mystery and grace of God’s promise of the victory of resurrection over the cross.

During this past week, and at her wake service yesterday, some wonderful stories were shared about Marianne’s generosity, hospitality, dedication, humor, determination, and love, especially of her family, her IHM community, and her church. She delighted us with her counsel and friendship, even if, at times, we disagreed with her, awakened us to the potential to make a difference in others’ lives, especially through education, blessed us with her unshakeable trust in God’s love, and taught us the inherent value of joy and humor, sometimes at her own expense. She was a great mentor. We heard about how, in her role as a high school speech and debate moderator, she prepared her students vigorously for the competitions, but afterward, would be sure to give pointers and suggestions to the other sister moderators to help them in their future preparations. Of course, she would work her students even harder so they would still come in first next time!

Today we give gratitude for the life of Marianne and the countless ways she shared life and love with us as a sister, aunt, friend, educator, mentor, advocate, and so much more during her nearly seventy-four years of religious life. Her ministries took her to Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and New York and included roles as teacher, administrator, pastoral associate, development director, diocesan public relations director, and here at OLP as prayer minister. As was said yesterday, though a woman of many wonderful talents, she was probably most proud of her role as an educator. Her students heard her voice of firm reasoning mixed with kindness, humor, and an eternal belief in the potential of each. As I traced her educational experience, I found that Marianne taught every grade from 1st to 12th except 7th, and she taught 22 different subjects! I loved the story about her persistent efforts, as principal of Marywood Seminary in 1970-71, the year of the fire, to relocate her students so they could complete their year together. She accomplished that for the remainder of the year, but was not successful in persuading the board to invest in buying property to build a new school. In expressing her opinion, she wrote several paragraphs stating that she understood and accepted the decision; then, in her closing paragraph, wrote, “In closing, I must deviate from polite statements and say….” Marianne was never one to hold back her convictions and speak her truth!

Those who knew Marianne know that the ministry titles do not even begin to capture the breadth and depth of her commitment and involvement in each of the areas. Marianne never gave less than 150% to whatever she was doing, and things were never dull or quiet around her. Her mission always was to make each person and situation better and more deeply aware of God’s love for all. Her devotion to the congregation and the church was unwavering, and through her keen intellect, sharp wit, and firm faith, she navigated with grace and conviction the many challenges and changes facing both of these institutions during the last half of the twentieth century.

We remember very specially today Marianne’s parents, Anna and Harry, her sister, Annmarie, and her brother, Robert, and her close friend, Sister Gabriel, who now welcome her home to an eternal, all-encompassing peace. We ask God to fill with hope and peace the hearts of Ruth Ann, Bob, and Ron, all their loving relatives, her IHM sisters, especially those here at Our Lady of Peace, the staff and administrators at OLP, and all with whom Marianne shared life.

No one is indispensable in God’s kingdom here on earth, but a few are unforgettable. For her family and those who knew and shared life with Marianne, she was truly “one of a kind.” She was a part of the very fabric of our lives and there is no doubt that she did indeed leave behind distinct and legitimate reasons for having passed through this life.

“We give Marianne back to You, O Lord, who first gave her to us, and as You did not lose her in the giving, so we do not lose her in the return.”

I now ask Bob to place the Bible on Marianne’s casket, for she heard the Word of God, she staked her life upon it and received life to the full… the Word now beckons Marianne home.