Sister M. Mercille Schneider, IHM, of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary entered eternal life on Monday, June 3, 2024, at Our Lady of Peace Residence in Scranton, Pennsylvania. 

 

Born on July 7, 1927, in Providence, Rhode Island, and given the name Elizabeth, Sister Mercille was the daughter of John Walter and Mary Madeline McWilliams Schneider. She entered the IHM Congregation on September 7, 1950, made temporary profession of her vows on August 2, 1953, and final profession of her vows on August 2, 1956.

 

Sister Mercille received a Bachelor of Science degree in education from Marywood College, and a Master of Science degree in education from the University of Portland. Sister Mercille served as a teacher at the following schools: St. John the Evangelist Elementary School in Scranton, Pennsylvania, from 1953 to 1957; St. Peter of Alcantara Elementary School in Port Washington, New York, from 1957 to 1968; St. Henry Elementary School in Gresham, Oregon, from 1968 to 1971; Sacred Heart of Mary Elementary School in Jermyn, Pennsylvania, from 1971 to 1973; St. Ann Elementary School in Scranton, Pennsylvania, from 1973 to 1974; Our Lady of Grace Elementary School in Greensboro, North Carolina, from 1974 to 1977; St. Agnes Elementary School in Baltimore, Maryland, from 1977 to 1979; and St. Thomas Aquinas Elementary School in Archbald, Pennsylvania, from 1979 to 1984. Sister served as a parish minister at St. Francis de Sales Parish in Lumberton, North Carolina, from 1984 to 1989, and during that time she also served in the IHM sponsored literacy program in Robeson County, North Carolina. Sister Mercille also served as director of the extended day program at St. John the Evangelist School in Silver Spring, Maryland, from 1990 to 1996; director of hospitality and activities at Our Lady of Grace Center in Manhasset, New York, from 1996 to 2004; and school office assistant at St. John the Evangelist Elementary School in Silver Spring, Maryland, from 2004 to 2015. From 2015 until the time of her death, Sister Mercille was a prayer minister at Our Lady of Peace Residence in Scranton.

 

She was preceded in death by a brother, Walter, and three sisters, Ann Johnson, Margaret “Peg” Alsfeld, and Madeline Kalberer. Sister Mercille is survived by nieces and nephews, and by the members of the IHM Congregation.

 

The funeral will be held on Monday, June 10, 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 Monday, June 10, between 9:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. A prayer service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Interment will be at a later date at St. Ann’s Cemetery, Cranston, Rhode Island.

 

Memorial contributions may be made to support the retired Sisters of IHM c/o the Sisters of IHM Retirement Fund, IHM Center, 2300 Adams Avenue, Scranton, PA, 18509.