Sister M. Margaret Russell, IHM

Sister M. Margaret Russell, IHM, of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary died on Saturday, May 3, 2003 at the Marian Convent in Scranton, Pennsylvania.

She was born on April 1, 1917 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and given the name Mary Louise. She was the daughter of the late Harry Nolan and Mary Cecilia Finn Russell. She entered the IHM Congregation on September 8, 1937, made her temporary profession of vows on May 7, 1940, and final profession of her vows on August 4, 1943.

Sister Margaret was an accomplished musician and served as a teacher at the following schools: Cathedral Elementary School in Scranton, PA, from 1940 to 1945; St. John the Evangelist Elementary School in Bellefonte, PA; St. Peter School in Poughkeepsie, NY; and St. Ambrose School in Bridgeport, CT; as well as at schools located in Altoona and Pittsburgh, PA; and Baltimore, MD.

Sister also served as a private music teacher at St. Peter’s Catechetical Center in Wellsboro, PA, from 1975 to 1977; and spiritual coordinator and pastoral minister at the Marian Convent, from 1988 to 1995.

From 2000 until the time of her death, she served as a prayer minister at the Marian Convent.

She received a Bachelor of Music degree in music education from Marywood College, and a Master of Arts degree in music education from New York University. She also completed further study at the Juilliard School of Music. She was a member of the National Catholic Music Educators Association.

She was preceded in death by a brother, John J., and a sister, Jane F.

She is survived by four nieces, Sarah R. Russell, Elizabeth Domaracki and Nancy McKenna, all of Pittsburgh, PA; and Rosemary Niemczura, Pottstown, PA; and four nephews, Paul J. Russell of Miami, FL; Francis X. Russell of Chicago, IL; John A. Russell of Chest Springs, PA; and James Russell of Virginia.

The funeral will be Wednesday, May 7 at 10:30 a.m. with Mass of Christian Burial at the Marian Convent, followed by interment at St. Catherine’s Cemetery, Moscow. Friends may call at the Marian Convent on Tuesday after 2:00 p.m.

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.