Sister Mary Sweet, IHM

Sister Mary Sweet, IHM, (formerly known as Sister M. Domitilla) of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary died on Wednesday, August 14, 2002, at the Theresa Maxis Convent in Scranton, PA.

She was born on March 25, 1924 in Archbald, PA, and was the daughter of the late Simon R. and Mary R. Kostelnick Sweet. She entered the IHM Congregation on September 8, 1941, made temporary profession of her vows on May 8, 1942, and final profession of her vows on August 3, 1944.

Sister Mary served as a teacher at the following schools: St. Patrick Elementary School in Scranton, PA, from 1945 to 1948; St. Joseph Elementary School in Williamsport, PA, from 1948 to 1953; St. Matthew Elementary School in East Stroudsburg, PA, from 1969 to 1970; St. Ann Elementary School in Scranton, PA, from 1970 to 1972; St. Mary of Mt. Carmel Elementary School in Dunmore, PA, from 1972 to 1977; Our Lady of Perpetual Help Elementary School in Rocky Mount, NC; Holy Trinity Elementary School in Poughkeepsie, NY; and St. Matthew Elementary School in Wilmington, DE. She also taught at elementary schools located in Baltimore, MD, and Pittsburgh, PA.

Sister also served as the director of religious education at St. Ann’s Parish in Scranton, PA, from 1978 to 1982; parish minister at St. John the Evangelist Parish in Scranton, PA, from 1982 to 1994; and pastoral minister for the Low Income Housing Project in Scranton, PA, from 1994 to 1995.

From 1995 until the time of her death, Sister Mary was an outreach minister for Friends of the Poor through the Lackawanna County Human Development Agency in Scranton, PA.

She received a Bachelor of Arts degree in English, a Master of Science degree in elementary educations, and a Master of Science degree in library science, all from Marywood College. She was one of the first members of the board of directors of Habitat for Humanity of Lackawanna County.

She was preceded in death by a brother, Simon R., III.

She is survived by three sisters, Eleanor Trinovitch of Winston, PA, Irene Sweet of Secane, PA, and Alice Pappas of Landsdowne, PA; four brothers, Joseph of Forest Hill, MD, John of Norristown, PA, Edward of Modesto, CA, and Robert J. of San Francisco, CA; nieces and nephews.

The funeral will be on Saturday, August 17, at 9:30 a.m. with Mass of Christian Burial at the IHM Center, Scranton, followed by interment at St. Catherine’s Cemetery, Moscow, PA. Friends may call on Friday afternoon from 2:00 to 8:00 pm at the IHM Center.