Sister Mary Rassley, IHM

Sister Mary Rassley, IHM, (formerly known as Sister M. Maron) of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, died on Saturday, April 25, 2026, at Our Lady of Peace Residence in Scranton, PA.

Born on December 30, 1931, in Fort Benton, MT, and given the name Mary Frances, Sister Mary was the daughter of the late George A. and Katharine Cope Rassley. She entered the IHM Congregation on September 18, 1950, made temporary profession of her vows on August 2, 1953, and final profession of her vows on August 2, 1956.  Sister Mary received a Bachelor of Arts degree in elementary education, and a Master of Science degree in elementary education, both from Marywood College.

Sister Mary served as a teacher in the following schools: St. Edward Elementary School in Twin Falls, ID, from 1953 to 1956; Nativity of Our Lord Elementary School in Scranton, PA, from 1956 to 1958; Holy Angels Elementary School in Pittsburgh, PA, from 1958 to 1961; St. John the Evangelist Elementary School in Clinton, MD, from 1961 to 1966; St. Patrick Elementary School in Oneida, NY, from 1978 to 1983; St. Patrick Elementary School in Scranton, PA, from 1983 to 1986; Blessed Sacrament Elementary School in Staten Island, NY, from 1986 to 1990; and St. Ann Elementary School in New York, NY, from 1991 to 1994.      

Sister served as principal in the following schools: Our Lady of Mercy Elementary School in Forest Hills, NY, from 1966 to 1970; St. Thomas Elementary School in Coeur d’Alene, ID, from 1970 to 1971; St. Leo Elementary School in Ashley, PA, from 1971 to 1974; and St. Thomas Elementary School in Bedford, PA, from 1974 to 1978.

Sister Mary served on the support staff at Convent of Renewed Life in Middletown, NY, from 1990 to 1991. She lovingly cared for her aged family members in Coeur d’Alene, ID, from 1994 to 2000.

Sister Mary served as transportation coordinator at the Marian Convent in Scranton, PA, from 2000 to 2006.  From 2006 to 2021, Sister served at Our Lady of Peace Residence in Scranton, PA, in the following capacities: transportation coordinator, support staff member, and Telespond volunteer. Sister also managed the online sale of vintage religious items from 2006 to 2025.

At Hospice of the Sacred Heart in Dunmore, PA, Sister Mary was a volunteer in the following departments: inpatient unit from 2014 to 2021 and Telespond receptionist from 2021 to 2026.

From 2026 until her death, Sister Mary was a prayer minister at Our Lady of Peace Residence in Scranton.

She was preceded in death by two brothers, Reverend George, CSsR, and Thomas. Sister Mary is survived by cousins, nieces, and nephews, living in Washington State, North Carolina, and California. The members of the IHM Congregation also survive her.

The funeral will be on Wednesday, May 6, 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 Wednesday, May 6, between 9:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. A prayer service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Interment will follow Mass on Wednesday at St. Catherine’s Cemetery in Moscow, PA.

Prayer and Funeral

Reflection

Given by Sister Suzie Armbruster, IHM Leadership Team Member

Good morning. We gather here today to celebrate the life of our Sister Mary. We welcome her family who are watching via livestream.

Mary was born in Fort Benton, Montana, and was raised in Montana and in her beloved home of Idaho. She was the daughter of George and Katharine Cope Rassley, and the beloved sister of Father George, a Redemptorist, and her brother Thomas. Mary is also survived by her cousins, nieces, and nephews. And I might add, her neighbors on Adams Ave and her work companions at Hospice of the Sacred Heart.

Upon entering the IHM Congregation, Mary was educated as an elementary school teacher and later in school administration, serving as a principal. Yet she continually wrote to her sectors and superiors, asking not to remain a principal, but to return to what she loved most—teaching young children. She also had a deep love for being a catechist, especially when it gave her the opportunity to spend summers in the West, close to home. Knowing Mary, she found quiet ways to connect with her brother, Father George, and other Redemptorists, arranging opportunities to travel West each summer, often bringing along a friend to do catechetical work while also being near her mother and family.

Eventually, Mary was given permission to return to the West and engage in family ministry, caring for her mother. She treasured those days and often spoke about how much she loved being a caregiver, while also being able to attend gatherings with her brother, cousins, and dear friends. Mary was a social butterfly.

Mary was a woman of many adventures. She loved to travel and was fiercely independent in doing so. Two summers ago, at the age of 92, Mary asked to meet with me. She informed me that she was planning to travel West once again. I had mixed feelings about her traveling such a distance alone, but she was determined to make one final trip—to visit the graves of her mother and family and to reunite with her friends and loved ones. We Face Timed with her family, and even with their concerns, Mary was not going to accept the word “no.” By the next morning, she had her itinerary and flights arranged. She promised to notify me when she landed and when she returned home. My heart was in my mouth, but her heart was set on going home.

Mary was the “queen” of the neighborhood here in Dunmore. She knew everything about every neighbor, and in turn, they kept an eye on her watching her travel up and down the driveway.

Mary was extremely proud of her garden, every Spring she eagerly awaited the last of the frost so she could plant her tomatoes. She was diligent in tending to her tomato plants every morning and evening. When she needed to use a cane or walker, she convinced some of the men to build raised beds so she could continue gardening. We all benefitted from her harvest well into the Fall.

That was just one of her “side” businesses. Mary also became our eBay sister—taking pictures, marketing, packaging, and proudly tracking her sales. She especially enjoyed selling the St. Gregory Hymnals when we were no longer using them. She followed her sales as closely as someone watches the stock market. Beanie Babies, porcelain plates, dolls—if she thought she could sell it, she gave it her best effort. Our job was simply to keep her supplied with bubble wrap and tape. Even after she stopped driving and could no longer make daily trips to the post office, she created a system of leaving packages on her front porch for the mail carrier to pick up. Of course, her “studio” was in the basement—and she was not supposed to be using the stairs! Eventually, she agreed to wear a Life Alert button so Beth, Kathy, and Mary Ellen could feel a bit more at ease.

Mary chose to age in place, and we aged right along with her—often wondering what she might do next. Eventually, for her safety and peace of mind, she agreed it was time to move to OLP—but only if she could continue to attend daily Mass at St. Paul’s and “work” at Hospice of the Sacred Heart. We came to an agreement, and she made the move—while still going to Mass, getting her Dunkin’ coffee, and continuing her hospice ministry she settled into her new home.

This past January, Mary once again asked to meet with me—which usually meant I would listen while she told me her plans. I was half expecting her to announce another trip, restart art therapy with the sisters here at OLP, or devise a way to garden again this summer. Instead, she told me she was ready to retire from her work at hospice. She asked if that would be okay. My heart broke a little, as that ministry gave her so much life, but she recognized it was time to rest and embrace this next chapter.

You never quite knew where Mary would turn up. If Joe Biden was in town, you could find her standing outside Hank’s, hoping to say hello. She appeared at the Coyne home for dessert on holidays or to sit on the Coyne porch and watch the Easter Egg Extravaganza with the cast of many. She was ready to go anywhere, anytime.

I know her family will miss the Thursday afternoon Zoom calls that kept them connected, but I also know she is now rejoicing—reunited with her mother, her brothers, and surely enjoying the beauty of her beloved Idaho mountains.

Mary, you kept us on our toes. It was often said that when your feet hit the floor in the morning, there was no telling what you would do next—and that was so true. You may have been small, but you were mighty.

Just last week, Mary told me she was at peace and ready to go home. Her words were, “Suzie, I am ready to be a ghost.” I was taken back as that was not what I expected from our Mary. I lotioned her one last time, kissed her, and told her to go be with her loved ones—but not as a ghost. Instead, Mary, fly with the angels and enjoy being whole in eternity. We love you and will miss you dearly.