May 18, 2020

OBITUARY: Sister Marion Denise Scanlan, SSJ

REGIONAL

FRAMINGHAM, Mass. — Sister of St. Joseph Marion Denise Scanlan, 93, a member of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield (SSJs), died at Bethany Health Care Center in Framingham on May 16, 2020. Born in Quincy, Mass., she was the daughter of William and Elizabeth (White) Scanlan.

She entered the Sisters of St. Joseph of Rutland from Sacred Heart Parish in Weymouth, Mass., in 1946 and became a Sister of St. St. Joseph of Springfield when the two congregations merged in 2001. She graduated from Sacred Heart High School in Weymouth, Mass., and earned her bachelor of science degree from the College of St. Joseph the Provider in Rutland, Vt. 

She served at St. Peter and Christ the King schools in Rutland; St. Charles in Bellows Falls; St. Mary’s in Fairhaven; St. Michael’s in Brattleboro; St. Francis de Sales School in Bennington; and St. Stanislaus Kostka School in West Rutland, all in Vermont. She also worked as a substitute teacher in Rutland Public Schools.

She was secretary to the president of the congregation for nine years, and then managed the congregation gift shop in Rutland. She was instrumental in establishing the SSJ associate program in Rutland.

In addition to her sisters in community, Sister Scanlan is survived by her sisters, Mary and Sister of St. Joseph Jean Elizabeth; and her sisters-in-law, Lucille and Marion. She was preceded in death by her parents; her brothers James, Paul, David, and Robert; and her sister Barbara.  

A private burial will be held at Mont Marie Cemetery in Holyoke with a Memorial Mass to be held at a later date.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Sisters of St. Joseph, Sisters of St. Joseph Administrative Offices, 577 Carew St., Springfield, MA 01104.