Sister Marie Gillet Reap, IHM

Sister Marie Gillet Reap, IHM, of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary died on Friday, October 24, 1969, at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Carbondale, PA.

She was born on August 25, 1904 in Avoca, PA, and given the name Hortense Marie. She was the daughter Attorney John Richard Reap and the late Helen Clarke Reap. She entered the IHM Congregation on September 8, 1954, received the religious habit on August 2, 1955, and made profession of her vows on August 3, 1957.

Sister Marie Gillet served as a teacher at the following schools: St. Matthew Elementary School in Wilmington, DE, from 1957 to 1958; and St. Alphonsus Elementary School in New York, NY, from 1958 to 1961. She also served as a faculty member in the business department and in the registrar’s office at Marywood College in Scranton, PA.

In 1961, she was appointed Dean of Students at Marywood College. While serving in this capacity, she made numerous contributions to the welfare of the students as a member of various committees, as well as moderator for the Student Council.

The Marwood College graduating class of 1966 dedicated their yearbook, “The Tourmaline” to Sister Marie Gillet for her services to them. They referred to her as “The Ideal Marywoodian.”

Last year, with the revision of the college’s administrative structure, Sister Marie Gillet assumed the newly created post of Vice President of Student Affairs.

She was a member of the National Association of Women Deans, and the Pennsylvania Association of Women Deans and Counselors.

She received a Bachelor of Arts degree in commercial education and a Master of Science degree in education/guidance, both from Marywood College.

In addition to her father, she is also survived by a sister, Mary T. Reap of Avoca, PA; a brother, Attorney John Richard, Jr. of West Pittston, PA; and three nephews.

The funeral will be Monday, October 27, at 9:30 a.m. in the chapel at the IHM Motherhouse at Marywood. Interment will follow at St. Catherine’s Cemetery in Moscow, PA. Friends may call at the Marian Convent on Saturday night and Sunday. Classes at the college will be suspended on Monday morning to enable students and faculty members to attned the Mass.

Below is the eulogy read at Sister Marie Gillet’s funeral:

On October twenty-fourth, Sister Marie Gillet Reap, IHM, Vice-President for Student Affairs, and one of the best beloved of Marywood’s staff died after a lengthy illness. An illness which few would have endured as she did and which many were not aware of until the rather recent past. For in spite of her suffering Sister somehow managed to be where the students wanted her to be and whenever feasible to at least try to do what they wanted her to do. Her sole interest was in the girls and their happiness and her efforts to insure this happiness was bounded only by her consideration of their welfare and the reputation of Marywood College.

That she was a true Marywoodian can be confirmed from many view points over a period of close to thirty years. The members of the class of 1946 remember “Horty” as fun-loving, lively, pretty and as noted in her Tourmaline “a steadfast friend.”

To the Business Majors during the early 1950’s Miss Reap’s classes were those which drew the least criticism, largely because of her and not necessarily the subject matter. Her concern for her student and her fairness and loyalty in her association with them made learning a more pleasant experience.

With her many years of commitment to Marywood it seemed only natural that she enter the novitiate in 1954 and after profession and teaching in Delaware and New York City that she return to Marywood. In 1961 she was named Dean of Students and, with the revision of the administrative structure last year, she became the first Vice-President of Student Affairs.

By whatever title she was known however her devotion for, and from, her students remained the same. The class of 1966 in the dedication of their yearbook to Sister came closest to expressing the regret with which she was considered when they referred to her as “The Ideal Marywoodian.”

May she rest in peace.