In Memoriam

Sr. Marcella Scully, D.C., PhD
Class of '49

Sr. Marcella Scully, Daughter of Charity, former science professor at St. Joseph College, and beloved original member of the Class of 1949, died Oct. 24, 2007 at Villa St. Michael in Emmitsburg, after a long struggle with Alzheimer’s disease. She was 79 years of age and 60 years of vocation.

Marcella Regina Scully was born in Wildwood, N.J., the fifth of six children, to Joseph and Helen Scully. Her father and grandfather were well-known general contractors, responsible for building many structures in the beach community. As a child, Marcella spent every possible minute near the ocean and her love for it never diminished. After high school, with the help of her great-aunt, Sr. Camilla Maloney, DC, Marcella enrolled at St. Joseph College as a member of the Class of 1949. She entered the Daughters seminary on Dec. 5, 1946.

Upon completion of the seminary (novitiate) in 1948, Sr. Marcella’s career as an educator began with a mission to St. Ambrose School in Endicott, NY. Two years later she joined the faculty of Seton High School, Baltimore, where she taught biology and was mentored by another Sister in the teaching of science. In 1958 Sr. Marcella was sent to St. Joseph High School, Petersburg, VA, where she taught religion, math and science until 1961.

She earned her bachelor’s degree from St. Joseph College in 1956 and later earned masters and doctoral degrees in microbiology from The Catholic University of America. She also studied at Loyola College, Baltimore, Boston College, American University, East Central State University, OK, and the University of Tennessee.

In 1966 Sr. Marcella returned to St. Joseph College to teach biology. After the college closed, she served as principal of Immaculate Conception Academy, Washington, D.C., and then as principal at All Saints High School.

In 1989 Sister returned to Petersburg to serve at St. Vincent de Paul High School (formerly St. Joseph High School) first as assistant principal and then as principal. Three years later she became a docent at the Shrine of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, Emmitsburg, then served at Elizabeth Seton High School, Bladensburg, MD. She spent a year at St. Matthew’s Parish, Spotsylvania, VA, before returning to the Shrine in Emmitsburg, her last active-duty assignment. She retired to Villa St. Michael in 2001.

Sr. Marcella’s final wish was to be cremated and her urn placed near her great aunt, Sr. Camilla Maloney, who died in 1954. A few years ago, recalls her close friend, Sr. Joan Angermaier, DC, a tree had to be removed near Sr. Camilla’s grave, and that allowed space for interment of a small urn in what is called the “ Old Cemetery” on the grounds of St. Joseph’s Provincial House. Sr. Marcella’s burial site faces the grave of her good friend Sr. Jerome Nossel, DC, another SJC faculty member, who died suddenly in 1985

Sr. Marcella’s parents, a sister, Helen Heil, and brothers Joseph and Christopher Scully predeceased her. A sister, Rita McAlarnen; a brother Robert Scully and his wife Kitty; sister-in-law Frances Scully; and numerous nieces and nephews survive her.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Daughters of Charity Support Fund for the Elderly and Infirm Sisters, 333 South Seton Avenue, Emmitsburg, MD 21727.

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