Obituary of Mary Lawrence Scanlan

Sister Mary Lawrence Scanlan returned to God on Monday, November 24, 2014. Sister Mary Lawrence�s parents, Lawrence Eugene Scanlan and Bessie Heinemann Scanlan, welcomed Agnes Annunciata Scanlan into their lives on March 25, 1922. Sister, along with seven brothers and sisters, was raised in Colegrove, PA. Sister graduated from St. Elizabeth Academy in Allegany, NY, and attended Villa Maria College in Erie, PA. Sister Mary Lawrence was received into the Franciscan Sisters of Allegany on August 15, 1941 and made Final Profession on August 16, 1948. Her education included a BA and MA Degrees from St. Bonaventure University as well as a MA Degree in Family Studies from St. Paul University, Ottawa, Canada. Additional courses were taken at Hunter College, NY, NY; Rockhurst College, Kansas City, MO, and Seton Hill College, Greensburg, PA. Sister Mary Lawrence�s life in ministry was diverse and focused on the most vulnerable of God�s people. Sister ministered as an educator as well as a publications advisor and Guidance Counselor. She was an initial member of the Cloister at St. Elizabeth Motherhouse in 1958, and the following year became Vocation Director for the Franciscan Sisters of Allegany. With a degree in Family Life, Sister Mary Lawrence ministered in the Family Life Bureau for the Diocese of Camden, NJ, and then was the first FSA to join the Franciscan Friars in ministry to the poor at St. Francis Inn in Philadelphia, PA. Ministry to those most in need continued when Sister joined The Dwelling Place of NYC and then coordinated Social Services at St. Francis of Assisi parish in New York City. For a time Sister Mary Lawrence returned to teaching and ministered in Jamaica, West Indies. Previous to retirement to the Motherhouse in 2000, Sister was employed as receptionist at the Curia of the Immaculate Conception Province, New York City. In 2000 Sister Mary Lawrence ministered in the Generalate and Pastoral Care at St. Elizabeth Motherhouse, Allegany, NY as well as Pastoral Care volunteer at St. Joseph Manor, Olean, NY. Ever searching for ways to experience God in God�s people and continuing her lifelong call as a witness to justice, Sister Mary Lawrence joined the Christian Peacemaker Delegation to Hebron, Israel in 2006. The purpose, as quoted from Sister�s application for this Cross-Cultural Experience, was �to be a witness and presence for justice, healing, and reconciliation in one of the most troubled places in the world.� And that she did throughout her life of service to God and God�s people. In addition to her parents, Sister Mary Lawrence was predeceased by her brothers Lawrence, Anthony, Nicholas, and James, and sisters, Anne and Jeannie. She is survived by her sister, Mary Backus, and nieces, nephews, as well as great and great- grand nieces and nephews, of which there are 82. A wake service is scheduled to take place at 6:30 p.m. on Sunday, November 30, 2014, in the chapel of the St. Elizabeth Motherhouse. A Funeral Mass will follow on Monday, December 1, 2014, at 10:30 a.m., with burial to follow in St. Bonaventure Cemetery, Allegany, NY. May Sister Mary Lawrence rest peacefully in the heart of God.