Sister Marionette Coll, a nun from the IHM order, celebrated her remarkable 104th birthday on November 17, 2025, surrounded by friends and well-wishers at the Our Lady of Peace Residence in Scranton, Pennsylvania. The event was marked by a warm and welcoming atmosphere, filled with laughter and joy as attendees shared in the festivities.
Reflecting on her milestone birthday, Sister Marionette expressed her gratitude, stating, “Well, it feels good. You get a lot of attention.” Born in Pittsburgh as the youngest of twelve children in a large Irish Catholic family, she made the significant decision to join the convent at the age of 17. Her journey began with a poignant memory of her arrival, traveling alone on a night train from Pittsburgh. “The sisters got me a special card for clergy. And I wasn’t clergy,” she recalled with a smile.
Throughout her extraordinary life, Sister Marionette has witnessed significant historical events. She has lived through the terms of 18 different U.S. Presidents and has experienced over a century of change, including the rise and fall of nations. Notably, she is eight years older than the former country of Yugoslavia and saw the dissolution of the Soviet Union.
Despite the weight of history, Sister Marionette’s passion for working with children has remained a highlight of her life. She fondly reminisced about a moment with a young student who commented, “You never get sick, do you?” to which she replied, “No, so don’t plan on it. Because he wanted me to miss the damn school. I never missed a day of school.”
As she continues to embrace her daily routine, Sister Marionette credits her longevity to simple joys, including her beloved Scrabble games and engaging conversations with those around her. “I take that, you take it one day at a time, and you try to make that a good day,” she shared, embodying a spirit of resilience and positivity.
Sister Marionette Coll’s celebration reminded all in attendance of the importance of community, faith, and the simple pleasures that life offers. Her journey of faith and service stands as an inspiring testament to living a fulfilling life, regardless of age.
