Sister Miriam Dennis Sculley, a resident of Camilla Hall, died in Paoli Hospital on February 25, 2021, Sister’s death was not Covid related. Sister died in the 69th year of her religious life just shy of her 90th birthday.
Mary Theresa Sculley was born on March 9, 1931. Sister’s Dad, Edward, was born in Philadelphia and her Mom Bridget (Doherty) Sculley was born in Londonderry Ireland. Mary Theresa attended St. Gabriel grade school for one year; St. Margaret in Narberth for one year; and St. Francis Xavier for the completion of elementary school. Mary graduated from St. Francis in 1945 and from Hallahan High School in 1949. Mary Theresa applied to enter the Congregation in November 1951. Mary entered the Community as a postulant on February 2, 1952 the Feast of the Purification. Mary Theresa received her religious habit and her religious name, Sister Miriam Dennis, on August 18, 1952. Sister pronounced her First Vows on August 16, 1954.
During the course of Sister Miriam Dennis’s teaching ministry, from the fall of 1954 through the school year ending in 1986, Sister touched thousands of children and their families. Sister taught first and second grade children at St. Mary of the Assumption in Phoenixville; Holy Trinity, Morrisville; BVM, Darby; St. Pius X, Broomall; MBS, Immaculate Conception; St. Agatha; St. Clement; Annunciation; and Francis Xavier in Philadelphia and lastly Immaculate Conception in Levittown.
Beginning in the fall of 1986, Sister Miriam Dennis’s ministry transitioned from teaching to many and varied ways of rendering joyful service. Sister spent two years at Camilla Hall as service staff personnel. Sister then went to BVM in Darby and worked diligently in the school office. In August of 1989 through August 2001, Sister assisted in both St. Clement Convent and SS. Clement-Irenaeus/School. Next, Sister traveled to Harrisburg where she was an Office Assistant at Holy Family School for one year. From Harrisburg to Immaculata – Sister worked hard in the Hospitality and Communications center at our Motherhouse, Villa Maria House of Studies. Sister left the Motherhouse after two years and assisted in both St. Theresa Convent and School in Hellertown from August 2004 through August 2020.
Sister Miriam Dennis’s final opportunity to serve was as a member of the Apostolate of Prayer in Camilla Hall. Sister served generously here as she had throughout her religious life. Sister succumbed to pneumonia on February 25, 2021. May she rest in peace.
In addition to her Congregation of IHM Sisters, she is survived by her loving nieces and nephew. Sister’s parents predecease her as does her sister, Kathleen Ranieri (Scully).
During this time of the Covid pandemic, Visitation, Funeral Mass, and Interment were private at Camilla Hall on Friday, March 5, 2021 at 10:30 a.m. Reverend Jerome Tauber celebrated Sister’s Funeral Liturgy; Deacon Gerry Schmidt concelebrated.
God rest her beautiful soul.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to:
Camilla Hall Nursing Home
IHM Mission Advancement Office
230 IHM Drive
Malvern, PA 19355