Sister Mary Ellen James, IHM
November 3, 1924 – September 12, 2024

Sister Mary Ellen James, IHM, (formerly known as Sister M. Cordia) of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary died on Thursday, September 12, 2024, at Our Lady of Peace Residence in Scranton, PA.
Born on November 3, 1924, in Baltimore, MD, Sister Mary Ellen was the daughter of the late John A. and Ellen (Ella) Johnson James. She entered the IHM Congregation on September 8, 1947, made temporary profession of her vows on May 8, 1950, and final profession of her vows on August 2, 1953. Sister Mary Ellen received a Bachelor of Science degree in science/English from St. Joseph College in Emmitsburg, MD, and a medical technology license from the American Society of Clinical Pathologists.
Sister Mary Ellen served as a teacher at the following schools: Marywood Seminary High School in Scranton, PA, from 1950 to 1951; St. Basil High School in Dushore, PA, from 1951 to 1954; and St. Leo High School in Ashley, PA, from 1954 to 1956.
Sister served as a medical technologist at the following institutions: St. Joseph’s Hospital in Carbondale, PA, from 1956 to 1971; Marian Convent in Scranton, PA, from 1971 to 1972, 1976 to 1983, and 1984 to 2006; Lourdes Hospital in Binghamton, NY, from 1972 to 1976; and Saint Joseph’s Center in Scranton, PA, from 1983 to 1984.
Sister Mary Ellen also served on the support staff at the IHM Center in Scranton, PA, from 2006 to 2013.
From 2013 until the time of her death, Sister Mary Ellen was a prayer minister at Our Lady of Peace Residence in Scranton.
She was preceded in death by a sister, Helen J. Emanuel. Sister Mary Ellen is survived by nieces and nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews. She is also survived by the members of the IHM Congregation.
The funeral will be Friday, September 20 at 11:00 a.m. with Mass of Christian Burial at Our Lady of Peace Residence, 1510 University Avenue in Dunmore, PA. Friends may call at Our Lady of Peace Residence on Friday, September 20, between 9:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. A prayer service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Interment will follow Mass on Friday at St. Catherine’s Cemetery in Moscow, PA.
Prayer of Remembrance and Funeral Mass
Reflection
Given by Sister Grace Surdovel, IHM Leadership Team Member
Our Sister Mary Ellen James, previously known as Sister M. Cordia, was a native of Baltimore, Maryland and the daughter of John and Ellen Johnson James. She and her sister Helen grew up in a loving home surrounded by family and friends. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Science and English from St. Joseph College in Emmitsburg, Maryland and a Medical Technology License from the American Society of Clinical Pathologists. She served as a science and English teacher in schools in Scranton, Dushore and Ashley before transitioning to her work as a medical technologist at St. Joseph’s Hospital, Lourdes Hospital, Marian Convent and St. Joseph’s Center. She served in the ministry of medical technology for over 50 years before retiring in 1984. Not one to sit idly by, Mary Ellen then served on the support staff at the IHM Center until transitioning to Our Lady of Peace in 2013.
One of my earliest memories of Sister Mary Ellen was her close relationship with our Sister Mary Kay Dwyer. During college and initial formation, I would volunteer at St. Joseph’s Center assisting my friend Gail in the feeding of some of the residents. Mary Kay would observe this interaction and eventually introduced herself to me and invited Gail and I to join Mary Ellen and herself to dinner at Billy’s in South Scranton. Over a period of time, there were multiple invitations to dinner or lunch from Mary Kay and Mary Ellen and these invitations were always warm and welcoming.
A second memory I have of Mary Ellen was when she served as a medical technologist at the Marian Convent. As a newly minted temporary professed sister, I found myself having unscheduled surgery and needed a place to recuperate. My counselor at the time recommended that I go to the Marian Convent to recover. Upon arrival, Mary Ellen arrived at my door with the nurse, and they quickly took my vitals and helped me to get settled in and comfortable. For the next week, Mary Ellen would stop by my room after she finished her shift to see how I was doing. While Mary Ellen would often present herself in a stern, medically serious manner, I was blessed to see another side of her during these off-hour visits.
For more than sixty years, our Sister Mary Ellen was a bearer of light, compassion and care for her students and those she cared for in her ministry as a medical technologist. May the angels welcome you into your heavenly home as you are reunited with your loving God, family, friends, and IHM sisters.
Well done, good and faithful servant.
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.