Sister Celine Marie Smith

WILLIAMSPORT - Sister Celine Marie Smith, IHM, of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, died on Saturday, December 20 at Geisinger Medical Center, Danville. She was born on February 22, 1940 in Waterbury, Conn., and given the name Judith Ann. She was the daughter of the late George and Henrietta Nau Smith. She entered the IHM Congregation on September 8, 1957 and made her temporary profession of vows on March 14, 1960 and her final profession of vows on March 14, 1965. Sister Celine Marie was a Montessori, Pre-K and primary education teacher and served at the following schools: St. Ephrem Elementary School in Brooklyn, NY from 1960 to 1966; St. Peter Alcantara in Port Washington, NY from 1966 to 1974; St. Mary of Mount Carmel Elementary School in Dunmore from 1974 to 1979; St. Cecilia Elementary School in Exeter from 1979 to 1984; Our Lady of Mercy Elementary School in Forest Hills, NY from 1984 to 1986; Our Lady of Grace Montessori School in Manhasset, NY from 1986 to 1990; St. Mary Elementary School in East Islip, NY from 1990 to1993; St. Paul Education Center in New Bern, NC from 1993 to1995. Sister Celine Marie also served as a chaplain at Williamsport General Hospital from 1996 to 1998 and at Manor Care Health Services in Williamsport from 1999 to 2004. She served, most recently, as activities director at the Presbyterian Home in Williamsport, and as Catholic chaplain at the Muncy State Prison for Women. She volunteered for Habitat for Humanity and was active in interfaith groups in Lycoming County. Sister Celine was an active member of Annunciation Parish in Williamsport where she served on the Social Justice Committee and ministered as a lector. She received a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education and a Master of Science in Reading Education from Marywood College. She is survived by three sisters, Teresa (Lawrence) Grieco of Muncy; Diane Smith of New Windsor, NY; Maureen Smith of Winchester, VA; and nieces, Maureen, Ann, and Katherine Grieco. A viewing will take place on Monday, December 22 at Annunciation Church, 410 Walnut St., Williamsport, from 3 to 6:30 p.m., with a prayer service at 5:30 p.m. A second viewing will be held at the IHM Center, 2300 Adams Ave., Scranton, on Tuesday, December 23 from 1 to 4 p.m., with Mass of Christian Burial immediately following at 4 p.m. Father John Manno will be the celebrant. Interment will be Wednesday at St. Catherine's Cemetery in Moscow. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to support the retired IHM Sisters, c/o the IHM Sisters Retirement Fund, IHM Center, 2300 Adams Ave., Scranton, PA 18509. Local arrangements are being handled by the Allen & Redmond Funeral Home, Inc., 331 Elmira Street, Williamsport, PA 17701.