Sister Katherine O’Neil, IHM, (formerly known as Sister M. St. Germaine) of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary died on Thursday, November 13, 2025, at Our Lady of Peace Residence in Scranton, PA.
Born on May 28, 1941, in Harrisburg, PA, and given the name Katherine Cecelia, Sister Katherine was the daughter of the late Lawrence and Mary Germaine O’Neill O’Neil.
She entered the IHM Congregation on September 8, 1959, made temporary profession of her vows on June 27, 1962, and final profession of her vows on June 27, 1967.
Sister Katherine received a Bachelor of Science degree and a Master of Science degree both in elementary education, and a Master of Science degree in religious studies, all from Marywood College.
Sister Katherine served as a teacher at the following schools: St. Matthew Elementary School in Wilmington, DE, from 1964 to 1972; St. Agnes Elementary School in Baltimore, MD, from 1972 to 1974; St. John the Evangelist Elementary School in Bellefonte, PA, from 1974 to 1975; Sacred Heart Elementary School in Mount Holly, NJ, from 1975 to 1976; and St. Thomas Elementary School in Bedford, PA, from 1976 to 1979.
Sister served as a pastoral assistant at the following parishes: St. Mary Star of Sea Parish in Indian Head, MD, from 1979 to 1980; St. Patrick Parish in Milford, PA, from 1980 to 1982; Holy Cross Mission in Pineville, WV, and St. John the Evangelist Parish in Mullens, WV, from 1996 to 2003.
Sister Katherine served as director of religious education at the following parishes: St. John the Evangelist Parish in Binghamton, NY, from 1982 to 1988; St. Helena Parish in Wilmington, DE, from 1988 to 1992; and St. Anthony of Padua Parish in Wilmington, DE, from 1992 to 1995.
At Most Holy Trinity Parish in Huntingdon, PA, Sister served as the pastoral associate of faith formation, from 2003 to 2014, and director of Christian initiation, from 2014 to 2017.
From 2018 until the time of her death, Sister Katherine was as a prayer minister at Our Lady of Peace Residence in Scranton.
Sister Katherine is survived by a brother, Reverend Thomas of Washington, PA; two sisters, her twin sister, Mary Dunkerly, and Margaret (Peggy) O’Neil, both of Lewisburg, PA; and a nephew, Robert Dunkerly of Virginia. She is also survived by the members of the IHM Congregation.
The funeral will be Thursday, November 20, at 11:00 a.m. with Mass of Christian Burial at Our Lady of Peace Residence, 1510 University Avenue in Dunmore, PA. Friends may call at Our Lady of Peace Residence on Thursday, November 20, between 9:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. A prayer service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Interment will be at Calvary Cemetery in Pittsburgh, PA.
Memorial contributions may be made to support the retired Sisters of IHM c/o the Sisters of IHM Retirement Fund, IHM Center, 2300 Adams Avenue, Scranton, PA 18509.
