Sister Marian David Habina died in Camilla Hall on Sunday March 7 in the 66th year of her religious life. The Community surrounding Sister Marian celebrated quietly her 90th birthday just weeks before.
Sister Marian was born on February 17, 1931 in McAdoo, PA. Her parents Louis Bela and Mary (Ruffi) Habina raised their four children in St. Stephen Parish in McAdoo upstate Pennsylvania. Sister’s Dad was born in Hungary and her Mom was born in Treskow, PA.
Rose M. Habina attended St. Patrick Elementary School followed by McAdoo High School from which she graduated in 1948. Upon graduation from High School, Rose attended Immaculata College for one year followed by three years at Temple University earning an A.B. Degree in Psychology. Later, while in Community, she earned an M.A. Degree in Psychology from Catholic University in Washington, D.C.
Rose entered our IHM Congregation on February 11, 1955; she received her religious habit and her religious name, Sister Marian David on August 15, 1955 and pronounced her First Vows on August 15, 1957.
In the fall of 1957 through the school year ending 1960, Sister Marian David taught children in grades 6 and 8 during her 3-year stay at SS. Simon and Jude School in Bethlehem. Sister then taught older students at St. Agnes/Shanahan in West Chester (60-64); Immaculata College (65-71); Lancaster Catholic (71-79); Notre Dame in Easton (79-81); and Cardinal Brennan in Fountain Springs (81-83).
Sister Marian transitioned from her teaching ministry to an “assisting” ministry. Sister lent her services to our infirmary at Camilla Hall during the 1982-1983 school year. In the fall of 1983, Sister assisted in the Activities Office at Little Flower High School. Sister then lent her expertise in the English Department at Bishop McDevitt High School in Harrisburg until the school year ending in 1987. Sister left “McDevitt” to assist in the Studies Office and Library at Holy Name High School in Reading.
While Sister Marian was at Holy Name, her Mom’s health deteriorated to the extent that she needed constant care. Sister was able to care for her Mom from May 1988 through May 1992. In the fall of 1992 through the school year ending 1994, Sister Marian assisted in the Library at Cardinal Dougherty High School.
In the fall of 1994, Sister resided at Pacis Hall and returned to service at Camilla Hall as a valued staff member until Sister’s health took a downturn and she became a full-time resident of Camilla Hall in August 2001. Sister Marian David served devotedly at Camilla for as long as she was able. Shortly after her 90th birthday, Sister Marian David succumbed to the ravages of cancer.
Due to the pandemic, the funeral liturgy was celebrated in private at Camilla Hall on Wednesday, March 10, 2021 at 10:30 am attended by a limited number of guests, the Sisters in Camilla, Sister Mary Ellen and the Sisters of the General Administration. Reverend Terry Odien celebrated Sister’s Funeral Liturgy.
Sister Marian’s parents Louis Bela and Mary Anna (Ruffi) Habina, her brothers Christopher John (Frances) and Louis Stephen (Olga) and her sister Marie Kessler (Daniel) predecease Sister. Her nephews, nieces, grandnieces and grandnephews, her Community at Camilla Hall, and her IHM Congregation survive Sister.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to:
Camilla Hall Nursing Home
IHM Mission Advancement Office
230 IHM Drive
Malvern, PA 19355