Sister M. Francis Xavier Grieb, IHM, of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary died on Tuesday, January 10, 2023, at Our Lady of Peace Residence in Scranton, PA.
She was born on June 16, 1931, in Pittsburgh, PA, and given the name Helen Cecilia. She was the daughter of the late Joseph and Cecilia Flatley Grieb. She entered the IHM Congregation on September 8, 1949, and made her temporary profession of vows on May 8, 1952, and her final profession of vows on August 2, 1955.
Sister Francis Xavier received a Bachelor of Science degree in home economics from Marywood College, and a Master of Science degree in science/chemistry from Clarkson University.
Sister Francis Xavier served as a teacher at the following schools: Immaculate Conception Elementary School in Lock Haven, PA, from 1952 to 1955; St. Joseph Elementary School in New Bern, NC, from 1955 to 1959; William Gaston Catholic High School in New Bern, NC, from 1959 to 1969; Maria Regina High School in Uniondale, NY, from 1969 to 1975; St. Mary of the Mount High School in Pittsburgh, PA, from 1975 to 1981; and Bishop O’Hara High School in Dunmore, PA, from 1981 to 1982.
Sister Francis Xavier served as principal at William Gaston Catholic High School in New Bern, NC, from 1967 to 1969.
Sister also served as director of candidates and affiliates for the IHM Congregation in Scranton, PA, from 1982 to 1992; coordinator of student affairs at Bishop Hafey High School in Hazleton, PA, from 1992 to 1994; core group member and director of retreats at IHM Spiritual Renewal Center in Cresco, PA, from 1994 to 2013; and an accounting assistant in the Business Office at the IHM Center in Scranton, PA, in 2014.
From 2014 until the time of her death, Sister Francis Xavier was a prayer minister at Our Lady of Peace Residence in Scranton.
She is preceded in death a brother, Thomas, and four sisters, Jeanne Young, Mary Smith, Lois Ann McLean, and Catherine McDonough She is survived by a brother-in-law, John McDonough of Allison Park, PA, nieces and nephews, and 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. 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.
