Sister Ann Marie O’Brien, IHM, (formerly known as Sister M. Mercita) of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary died on Thursday, September 8, 2022 at Our Lady of Peace Residence in Scranton, PA. Sister Ann Marie was born on July 18, 1929, in Avoca, PA, the daughter of the late John Earl and Mary Lizak O’Brien.
Sister entered the IHM Congregation on February 2, 1947, made her temporary profession of vows on August 2, 1949, and her final profession of vows on August 2, 1952.
Sister Ann Marie received a Bachelor of Arts degree in education/Spanish from Marywood College, and a Master of Arts degree in Spanish from the University of Notre Dame.
Sister Ann Marie served as a teacher in the following schools: Immaculate Conception Elementary School in West Pittston, PA from 1949 to 1955; St. Mary Elementary School in Hollidaysburg, PA from 1955 to 1961; St. Agnes Elementary School in Lock Haven, PA from 1961 to 1964; St. Ephrem Elementary School in Brooklyn, NY from 1964 to 1967; Maria Regina Diocesan High School in Uniondale, NY from 1967 to 1982; Bishop Hannon High School in Scranton, PA, from 1982 to 1984; and Bishop O’Hara High School in Scranton, PA, from 1996 to 2006.
Sister Ann Marie served as vice-principal at Maria Regina Diocesan High School in Uniondale, NY, from 1978 to 1982. She also served as dean of students at Marywood College in Scranton, PA from 1984 to 1988; vice-president director of academic affairs at Holy Cross High School in Delran, NJ from 1988 to 1996; director of ministry resources for the IHM Congregation in Scranton, PA from 2006 to 2014; and support services at the IHM Center from 2014 to 2018.
From 2018 until the time of her death, Sister Ann Marie was a prayer minister at the IHM Center and Our Lady of Peace Residence, both in Scranton, PA.
She is preceded in death by three brothers, Joseph, Patrick, and John; and a cousin, Sister Daniela McCarthy, IHM. She is survived by nieces and nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews, cousins, and by the members of the IHM Congregation.
Interment will be at St. Catherine’s Cemetery in Moscow, PA. Because of restrictions related to the coronavirus, the funeral mass and graveside service are private. 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.
