Sister Mary Elizabeth Schmidt (Formerly Sister Margaret Joann) died in Camilla Hall on June 26, 2021 in the 64th year of her religious life.
Mary Elizabeth was born on March 28, 1939 in Harrisburg, PA. Her parents, Raymond and Margaret (Daylor) Schmidt later moved to Sacred Heart Parish in Lancaster, PA. Sister’s dear Mother passed away in 1949 when Sister Mary Elizabeth was only ten years old.
Mary Elizabeth attended Sacred Heart Elementary School and Lancaster Catholic High School. Mary Elizabeth graduated from “Catholic High” in 1957. Shortly after graduation, she entered the Congregation on the beautiful Feast of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel on July 16, 1957.
On January 16, 1958, Sister received her religious habit and her religious name Sister Margaret Joann. On January 16, 1960, Sister pronounced her First Vows. In January 1960, Sister began her teaching ministry as an IHM Sister.
Sister taught primary grade children from January 1960 through June 1996 in many places in the Diocese of Philadelphia and beyond. Sister taught children in Transfiguration, Gesu, St. Barnabas, SS. Clement/Irenaeus, Our Lady of Fatima in Bensalem, St. Thomas Aquinas in Croyden, St. Joseph in Downingtown, St. Matthew, and St. Joseph/St. Robert. In the fall of 1996 through the school year ending 2000, Sister served as a General Assistant in St. Anselm Elementary School.
In the fall of 2000, Sister Mary Elizabeth went to Sacred Heart Parish in Lancaster where she served as CCD Coordinator until the spring of 2015.
Sister’s final assignment was to our convent home at Camilla Hall. Sister assisted here as long as she was able and served as an active member of the Apostolate of Prayer until her death on June 26, 2021.
Her parents Raymond and Margaret (Daylor) Schmidt, her sister JoAnn (Reineberg) and her brother Raymond W. Schmidt predecease Sister. In addition to her IHM Community, Sister is survived by her nieces, nephew, grandnieces and grandnephews.
Reverend James McGuinn celebrated Sister’s Funeral Mass and delivered the homily on Wednesday, June 30, 2021 at 10:30 AM. May our dear Sister rest in peace.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to:
Camilla Hall Nursing Home
IHM Mission Advancement Office
230 IHM Drive
Malvern, PA 19355