Sister Mary Sheehan, IHM, (formerly known as Sister Maria Fidelis) of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary died on Friday, January 22, 2021, at Our Lady of Peace Residence in Scranton.
She was born on July 13, 1938 in Clover, PA; and given the name Mary Elizabeth. She was the daughter of the late Ernest and Lucy Strittmatter Sheehan. She entered the IHM Congregation on February 2, 1957 and made her temporary profession of vows on August 4, 1959 and her final profession of vows on August 15, 1964.
Sister Mary served as a teacher in the following schools: Cathedral Elementary School in Scranton, PA, from 1959 to 1960; St. Paul Elementary School in Scranton, PA, from 1960 to 1962; Our Lady Queen of Martyrs Elementary School in Forest Hills, NY, from 1962 to 1965; St. Joseph Elementary School in Renovo, PA, from 1965 to 1967; St. Leo High School in Ashley, PA, from 1967 to 1968; St. Mary High School in Manhasset, NY, from 1968 to 1973; Notre Dame High School in East Stroudsburg, PA, from 1973 to 1974; Bishop Neumann High School in Williamsport, PA, from 1974 to 1975; St. Rose High School in Carbondale, PA, from 1975 to 1979; and Maria Regina Diocesan High School in Uniondale, NY, from 1980 to 1984.
Sister also served as coordinator for religious education at St. Patrick’s Parish in Milford, PA, from 1979 to 1980; chaplain and director of pastoral care at Mary Immaculate Hospital and Fitzpatrick Nursing Home in Jamaica, NY, from 1984 to 1991; Catholic chaplain at Butler Memorial Hospital and Sunnyview Nursing Home in Butler, PA, from 1991 to 1999; coordinator for pastoral care and social ministries at Marydale Retirement Village in Newark, DE, from 2000 to 2007; coordinator of caring ministry at St. Joseph’s Parish in York, PA, from 2007 to 2009; support services at the IHM Center in Scranton, PA, from 2009 to 2015; and volunteer in Heartworks Gift Boutique at Our Lady of Peace Residence in Scranton, PA, from 2009 to 2015.
From 2015 until the time of her death, Sister Mary served as a prayer minister at Our Lady of Peace Residence in Scranton.
She received a Bachelor of Science degree in science and a Master of Science degree in religious studies from Marywood College, and a Master of Education degree from Virginia State University.
She is preceded in death by a brother, Timothy.
She is survived by a brother, Dennis and his wife, Carole, of Patton, PA; three sisters, Sally Little of Hollidaysburg, PA; Clara Fleitz of Haymarket, VA; and Ann Hepner of Myrtle Beach, SC; nieces and nephews; grandnieces and grandnephews; and 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.
