Sister Jean Conaty, IHM

Sister Jean Conaty, IHM, (formerly known as Sister Mary John) of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary died on Wednesday, January 15, 2025, at Our Lady of Peace Residence in Scranton, PA.

Born on January 17, 1931, in Providence, RI, and given the name Jean Marie, Sister Jean was the daughter of the late John Thomas and Catherine Ann Meighan Conaty. She entered the IHM Congregation on September 5, 1948, made temporary profession of her vows on May 8, 1951, and final profession of her vows on August 2, 1954.  Sister Jean received a Bachelor of Arts degree in English/mathematics from Marywood College, and a Master of Arts degree in mathematics from Villanova University.

Sister Jean served as a teacher at the following schools: St. Raymond Elementary School in East Rockaway, NY, from 1951 to 1959; St. Leo High School in Ashley, PA, from 1959 to 1969; St. Mark High School in Wilmington, DE, from 1969 to 1970; and St. Dominic High School in Oyster Bay, NY, from 1972 to 1974.  

Sister Jean was principal at Notre Dame High School in East Stroudsburg, PA, from 1970 to 1972.  

At Marywood College in Scranton, PA, Sister served as the Director of Personnel Services, from 1974 to 1980, and Director of the Instructional Computer Center, from 1980 to 1982.

Sister Jean was a pastoral associate at: St. Pius X Parish in Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada, from 1982 to 1988; Little Flower Parish in Bethesda, MD, from 1990 to 1994; and St. Paul Parish in Staten Island, NY, from 1994 to 1999.  She also served as a marriage tribunal auditor for the Diocese of Trenton in Lawrenceville, NJ, from 1988 to 1990.

Sister Jean also served as a librarian at Sacred Heart High School in Carbondale, PA, from 1999 to 2005; and on the staff at the Educational Enrichment Institute at the IHM Center in Scranton, PA, from 2005 to 2013.

From 2013 until the time of her death, Sister Jean was a prayer minister at Our Lady of Peace Residence in Scranton.

She was preceded in death by a brother, John Thomas, Jr., and two sisters, Catherine M. Conaty and Virginia E. Saberniak. Sister Jean is survived by a niece, Dianne Leach of DeLand, Florida. She is also survived by the members of the IHM Congregation.

The funeral will be Tuesday, January 21, 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 Tuesday, January 21, between 9:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. A prayer service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Interment will follow Mass on Tuesday at St. Catherine’s Cemetery in Moscow, PA.

Funeral Mass

Reflection

Given by Sister Grace Surdovel, IHM Leadership Team Member

Today we gather with Jean’s niece Diane and family to celebrate the life of our dear sister and friend, Sister Jean Conaty, formerly known as Sister Mary John.

Over the last few weeks, I have been blessed to hear so many share their stories of friendship with Jean and how she impacted their lives, often in a quiet and unassuming manner.  Many echoed the same phrase— Jean was such a great lady!  I could not agree more! Our Sister Jane Ellis shared a story about when Jean helped Jane update her resume in preparation for new ministries when she returned to Scranton after a longtime ministry out of state.  No fanfare, just quiet supportive assistance. IHM Associate, Mary Lynn Delfino, shared stories about her time getting to know Jean. Mary Lynn would visit periodically and could be found sitting with Jean discussing politics, the church, family memories and possible solutions to the daily New York Times crossword puzzle; usually over a cup of tea and some chocolate ice cream or candy. Mary Lynn noted Jean’s quiet practice of prayer, serenity and acts of love and kindness that had a profound impact on Mary Lynn.

Over her many years of active ministry, Jean served as a classroom teacher, administrator, pastoral assistant and Tribunal Auditor.  In 1999, our Sister Margo McCormick hired Jean to be the part time librarian at Sacred Heart High School in Carbondale, Pennsylvania. 

It was at Sacred Heart that Jean and I met and developed a friendship that has lasted 26 years. Jean often joined me and my family for holidays and family celebrations.  Over the years, Jean got to know my family well and became an adopted member.

One of Jean’s favorite summertime adventures for many years was to visit her family at their vacation home in Cape May, New Jersey.  While Jean was confident driving herself to local appointments and errands, she was more hesitant to make the five-hour trip to Cape May.  So, I would happily take Jean to visit her family. These trips were a wonderful opportunity for us to get to know each other on a deeper level. 

More recently, when our leadership team was elected in 2022, we came to OLP to visit the sisters and thank them for their prayers.  When I walked into Jean’s room, she was sitting in her chair with tears in her eyes.  She gave me a long, loving hug and whispered in my ear that she was so very proud of me.  She has never wavered in her commitment of prayer, love and friendship. I am very confident that these prayers will continue as Jean now enters her heavenly home. 

From poet Jan Richardson’s This Day We Say Grateful, I offer these words: “We release you in God’s keeping and hold you in gladness and love.”

Jean, thank you for our many years of friendship, and for your life of service to our congregation, the church and the people of God.  It has been my honor and privilege to walk these past 26 years with you and call you friend.  Be assured that my love, our love and prayers go with you as you return home and are reunited with family and friends. We will be sure to toast you with a bit of chocolate and a hot cup of tea as we recall many wonderful memories of our years together. Indeed, you were a great lady, and we can say with confidence and love, well done, good and faithful servant.