Sister Rita Marie Byrne, IHM, of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, died on Monday, June 1, 1987 at the Marian Convent in Scranton, Pennsylvania, after an illness.
She was born on May 10, 1905 in Carbondale, Pennsylvania, and was the daughter of the late William and Martha Edmunds Byrne. She entered the IHM Congregation on August 15, 1923, received the religious habit on December 27, 1923, and made profession of her vows on August 15, 1925.
Sister Rita Marie taught intermediate grades at the following schools: St. Patrick Elementary School in Oneida, NY; Most Holy Rosary School in Syracuse, NY; St. Joseph Elementary School in Danville; St. Thomas Aquinas Elementary School in Archbald, PA; and Holy Rosary iElementary School n Scranton, PA; as well as schools located in Forest Hills and New York City, NY; Pittsburgh and Pittston, PA; and Rhode Island. Her most recent assignment was at St. Rose Elementary School in Carbondale, PA.
From 1986 until the time of her death, Sister Rita Marie served as a prayer minister at the Marian Convent.
She was preceded in death by a brother, William.
She is survived by three brothers, Vincent of Jermyn, PA; Dr. Joseph of Richmond, Virginia; Reverend Edmund of Tulsa, Oklahoma; and several nieces and nephews.
The funeral will be Thursday, with Mass of Christian Burial at 9:30 a.m. in the Marian Convent Chapel. Interment will follow in the Byrne Family Plot at Our Mother of Sorrows Cemetery, Finch Hill (outside of Carbondale, PA). Friends may call at the Marian Convent Wednesday afternoon or evening.
Memorial contributions may be made to support the retired IHM Sisters c/o the IHM Sisters Retirement Fund, IHM Center, 2300 Adams Avenue, Scranton, PA 18509.
