Sister Marie Elaine Farabaugh died on her 91st birthday in Camilla Hall, in the 73rd year of her religious life.
Anne Elaine Farabaugh was born on February 23, 1932, in New York; her parents later settled in Lansdowne, PA. Sister’s parents Cletus F. Farabaugh and Ellen V. Farabaugh (Rodgers) raised their family of three girls in St. Philomena Parish in Lansdowne.
Sister attended St. Philomena Elementary (1937-1945); Immaculate Heart Academy in Fountain Springs, PA (1945-1949); later, while in Community, Sister earned her degree in Elementary Education from Immaculata College.
Elaine entered the Community on September 8, 1949; she received her habit and her religious name, Sister Marie Elaine, on April 10, 1950; and pronounced First Vows on April 13, 1952.
Shortly after Sister professed her First Vows in April, Sister’s journey of teaching began. Sister taught both Music and classroom instruction. Over the years, Sister worked with children in grades 1 through 7 in many varied locales.
Sister Elaine’s ministry included: Villa Maria Falls Church, VA; St. James Falls Church, VA; St. Thomas, Philadelphia; St. William, Philadelphia; St. Katharine of Siena, Wayne; St. Joseph, Ashland; St. Mary, Phoenixville; Assumption, Feasterville; St. Joachim, Philadelphia; St. Jane de Chantal, Easton; St. Augustine, Bridgeport; St. Gabriel, Philadelphia; Assumption, Atco NJ; Annunciation, Philadelphia.
In August 1998 through July 2011, Sister Elaine lived at Pacis Hall and served our Sisters as an efficient and joyful staff member at Camilla Hall. In August 2011 Sister moved into the Camilla Hall Community where she served as a faithful member of the Apostolate of Prayer until her death on her birthday, February 23, 2023.
In addition to her IHM Community, her Local Community at Camilla Hall, and her many nieces, nephews, grandnieces, and grandnephews survive Sister Marie Elaine.
Sister Elaine is predeceased by her parents Cletus F. Farabaugh and Ellen V. Farabaugh (Rodgers) and her sisters Alice T. Watson (Gerald) and Elizabeth L. Persons (Charles).
Reverend John Burger, S.S.C. (Homilist) and Reverend Dennis O’Donnell concelebrated Sister Marie Elaine’s Funeral Mass on Thursday, February 28, 2023, at 10:30 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to:
Camilla Hall Nursing Home
IHM Mission Advancement Office
230 IHM Drive
Malvern, PA 19355