Sister M. Cecilian White, IHM, of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary died on Thursday, May 20, 2021 at Our Lady of Peace Residence in Scranton, PA. She was born on November 10, 1925, in Oneida, NY; and given the name Grace Marie. She was the daughter of the William and Theresa Fox White.
She entered the IHM Congregation on February 2, 1944 and made her temporary profession of vows on August 2, 1946 and her final profession of vows on August 2, 1949.
Sister Cecilian served as a teacher at the following schools: St. Joseph Elementary School in Danville, PA, from 1946 to 1947; St. Ephrem Elementary School in Brooklyn, NY, from 1947 to 1950; St. Agnes Elementary School in Washington, NC, from 1950 to 1955; St. Ambrose Elementary School in Bridgeport, CT, from 1955 to 1956; St. Mary of the Mount Elementary School in Pittsburgh, PA, from 1956 to 1959; Immaculata High School in New York, NY, from 1959 to 1960; St. John High School in Pittston, PA, from 1960 to 1970; Most Holy Rosary High School in Syracuse, NY, from 1970 to 1974; St. Mary High School in Manhasset, NY, from 1974 to 1979; Sacred Heart High School in Carbondale, PA, from 1979 to 1980; and Bishop Guilfoyle High School in Altoona, PA, from 1984 to 1985.
Sister also served as a business office clerk at the IHM Center in Scranton, PA, from 1980 to 1984; social service assistant at Mercy House in Albany, NY, from 1985 to 1986; financial secretary at LaSalle Academy in New York, NY, from 1986 to 1990; financial secretary at Cardinal McCloskey Health Services in White Plains, NY, from 1991 to 1992; financial secretary at St. Francis de Sales School for the Deaf in Brooklyn, NY, from 1992 to 1997; office assistant in the development office at the IHM Center in Scranton, PA from 1998 to 2010; volunteer at the IHM Center in Scranton, PA, from 2010 to 2012; and volunteer at St. Joseph’s Center in Scranton, PA, from 2012 to 2013. From 2013 until the time of her death, Sister Cecilian served as a prayer minister at Our Lady of Peace Residence.
She received a Bachelor of Arts degree in education/mathematics from Marywood College, and a Master of Arts degree in mathematics from Villanova University.
She is preceded in death by two sisters, Catherine Bowe and Mary Donahue; and a brother, William. She is survived by nieces and nephews; grandnieces and grandnephews. She is also survived by the members of the IHM Congregation. Interment will be at St. Catherine’s Cemetery in Moscow, PA. Due to 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.
