Sister Mary Wren, IHM

Sister Mary Wren, IHM (formerly known as Sister M. Venarda) of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary died on Thursday, November 16, 2000, at the Marian Convent in Scranton, PA.

Born on October 1, 1912, in Scranton, PA, she was the daughter of the late Francis and Agnes Healey Wren. She entered the IHM Congregation on September 8, 1931, made temporary profession of her vows on April 24, 1934, and final profession of her vows on August 1, 1937.

Sister Mary served as a teacher at the following schools: St. Mary of the Mount Elementary School in Pittsburgh, PA, from 1934 to 1936; St. Ephrem Elementary School in Brooklyn, NY, from 1936 to 1941; Most Holy Rosary Elementary School in Syracuse, NY, from 1941 to 1951; West Side Central High School in Kingston, PA, from 1954 to 1957; St. Ambrose Elementary School in Bridgeport, CT, from 1957 to 1959; St. Paul Elementary School Cranston, RI, from 1959 to 1963; St. John the Evangelist Elementary School in Silver Spring, MD, from 1967 to 1968; Our Lady Queen of Mercy Elementary School in Forest Hills, NY, from 1968 to 1971; and Holy Trinity Elementary School in Poughkeepsie, NY, from 1974 to 1976. She served as a language arts instructor and librarian at St. Agnes Elementary School in Baltimore, MD, from 1976 to 1984.

Sister served as principal at St. Rosalia School in Pittsburgh, PA, from 1964 to 1967.

Sister Mary also served as curriculum coordinator for schools office of the Diocese of Brooklyn in New York, from 1971 to 1974; a clerk in the Marywood College Post Office in Scranton, PA, from 1984 to 1985; office assistant at Our Lady of the Lake Renewal Center in Verona, NJ, from 1985 to 1986; chancery receptionist for the Diocese of Scranton, in 1987; prayer minister at Our Lady of Sorrows Convent in Vestal, NY, from 1987 to 1990; and receptionist at the IHM Center in Scranton, PA, from 1990 to 1983.

From 1993 to the time of her death, Sister Mary was a prayer minister at the Marian Convent.

She received a Bachelor of Arts degree in social studies, and a Master of Arts degree in elementary education, both from Marywood College.

She was preceded in death by her step-mother, Mary Margaret Cowley-Wren, a sister, Ruth O’Toole, and a nephew, Paul O’Toole.

She is survived by a niece, Ruth O’Toole Brammer of New Castle, Indiana; and cousins, Ann Lewis of Scranton, PA, Frances Maciorowski of Avoca, PA, Peggy Hansen and Pat Fergusen, both of Queens Village, NY.

The funeral will be Tuesday, November 21, at 10:30 a.m. with Mass of Christian Burial at the Marian Convent, followed by interment at St. Catherine’s Cemetery, Moscow, PA. Friends may call at the Marian Convent on Monday between 2:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.