Sister Mary of the Angels Whalen, IHM

Sister Mary of the Angels Whalen, IHM, of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, died on Monday, October 10, 1988, at the Marian Convent in Scranton, PA.

She was born on July 21, 1904, in Massillon, OH, and given the name Mary J. She was the daughter of the late Thomas F. and Ida C. Panyard Whalen. She entered the IHM Congregation from St. Mary of the Mount Parish, Pittsburgh, on September 8, 1922, was received into the novitiate on December 28, 1922, and made profession of her vows on December 29, 1924.

Sister Mary of the Angels served as a math and history teacher at the following schools: St. Patrick High School in Scranton, PA; Immaculata High School in New York City; and St. Rosalia High School in Pittsburgh, PA, from 1950 to 1967. She also taught at Marywood College in Scranton, PA, during the summer sessions. For six years, Sister was supervisor of mathematics for the Diocese of Rockville Centre in New York.

She earned an Bachelor of Arts degree from Marywood College, and an Master of Arts degree in math education from Catholic University. She did further study at the University of Pittsburgh, University of Illinois Stanford University, and Duquesne University. She was given the first “Teacher of the Year” award by the Diocese of Pittsburgh, and was involved in several professional organizations.

From 1983 until the time of her death, Sister Mary of the Angels was a prayer minister at the Marian Convent.

She was preceded in death by two brothers, Thomas, Jr. and John, and four sisters, Ida Jane Whalen, Ruth Whalen, Anne McNierney and Frances O’Brien.

She is survived by two sisters, Grace McCosby of Bethel Park, PA, and Gertude “Pauline” Sterzenback, Ozark, AL; and several nieces and nephews, including our Sister Delia Marie McNierney, IHM, who teaches computer courses at St. Rosalia Academy in Pittsburgh, PA.

The funeral will be Thursday, October 13, at 10:00 a.m. with Mass of Christian Burial at the Marian Convent, Scranton. Interment will follow at St. Catherine’s Cemetery, Moscow, PA. Friends may call on Wednesday after 2:00 p.m. at the Marian Convent.