Sister M. Celeste Parry, IHM, of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary died on Monday, January 17, 2022, at Regional Hospital in Scranton.
She was born on November 12, 1927, in Pittston, PA, and given the name Joanna. She was the daughter of the late Henry and Rose Ann Donahue Parry. She entered the IHM Congregation on September 8, 1948, and made her temporary profession of vows on May 8, 1951, and her final profession of vows on August 2, 1954.
Sister Celeste served as a teacher at the following schools: St. Rose Elementary School in Carbondale, PA, from 1951 to 1954; Our Lady Queen of Martyrs Elementary School in Forest Hills, NY, from 1954 to 1956; St. Bernardine Elementary School in Baltimore, MD, from 1956 to 1959; Nativity of Our Lord Elementary School in Scranton, PA, from 1959 to 1960; St. John the Evangelist Elementary School in Silver Spring, MD, from 1960 to 1966; St. Mary Elementary School in Patton, PA, in 1966; St. Matthew Elementary School in Wilmington, DE, from 1966 to 1976; Our Lady of Peace Elementary School in Clarks Green, PA, from 1976 to 1977; St. Peter of Alcantara Elementary School in Port Washington, NY, from 1977 to 1984; and St. Ephrem Elementary School in Brooklyn, NY, from 1984 to 2009.
Sister Celeste was a prayer minister at St. Ephrem Convent in Brooklyn, NY, from 2009 to 2014. From 2014 until the time of her death, Sister Celeste served in support services and as a prayer minister at Our Lady of Peace Residence in Scranton, PA.
She received a Bachelor of Science degree in elementary education, and a Master of Science degree in elementary education, both from Marywood College.
She is preceded in death by a brother, Joseph; and two sisters, Sister M. Jeannine, IHM, and Rose Ann McGrath. She is survived by nieces and nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews; and 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.
