Sister M. Regina Miskanin

November 12, 1902 – March 11, 1966

Sister Mary Regina was born November 12, 1902, in McKees Rocks, Pa., where she received her elementary education at St. Mary and St. Mark schools. She entered our community as a postulant on October 13, 1918; received the habit on August 12, 1919; and made her first vows on August 16, 1920.

As a postulant and novice, she prepared for the special diocesan tests administered in those years. Afterwards she continued at the Knights of Columbus Normal School and attended Saturday sessions at Mount Mercy College (now Carlow University) in Pittsburgh, Pa. Her first teaching assignment was the first grade at St. Clement School in Tarentum, Pa.

After making her final profession on August 12, 1929, Sister Regina continued her studies at Duquesne University, where she received a bachelor’s degree in education in 1931. During her 45 years of religious profession, Sister Regina taught at St. Clement School in Tarentum; St. Gabriel on Pittsburgh’s North Side; Assumption in Jersey City, N.J.; SS. Cyril and Methodious in Bethlehem, Pa.; St. John the Baptist in Perryopolis, Pa.; and, for a short time, at the Mount Assisi Academy, also in Pittsburgh.

Sister Regina served our community in many capacities, conscientiously and wholeheartedly. She was a very capable seventh and eighth grade teacher, having taught those grades for the major part of her teaching years while also serving as principal and superior. 

In 1947 she was appointed to the office of fourth assistant and, in 1951, to second assistant. When the community was divided into two provinces in 1957, she was named the first assistant of the Pittsburgh Province, remaining in office until her death. During these years Sister Regina taught at various missions and performed the duties of local superior and elementary school principal. For a few summers, she had charge of probationers, served as novice-mistress in 1947-1948, was prefect of postulants from 1948 to 1952, and was appointed novice-mistress again in 1963. This latter office she held until the time of her final illness.

After a prolonged illness and hospitalization, Sister Regina was discharged and brought to the Motherhouse on January 26. She grew weaker by the day and, finally, at a few minutes before midnight on March 11, 1966, Sister Mary Regina passed on to her eternal reward. Father Leopold Krul, OSB, a former pupil, officiated at the funeral Mass, which also was attended by Vicar for Religious, Rt. Rev. Msgr. Paul J. Simko, and 14 priests. 

As a teacher, Sister Regina won the love and respect of her pupils. Long afterwards in their adult years, so many of her former students remembered her and inquired about her. In her dealings with her fellow Sisters, Sister Regina was pleasant, humble and unassuming. To those in authority she always showed deference and respect. While suffering intensely during her last days on earth, she was extraordinarily patient, never uttering a word of complaint or dissatisfaction, a striking example to those who came to visit her. 

A loyal and faithful member of the Community, a friend to many outside the Community — especially to the people of St. Gabriel Parish, where she spent 29 years of religious life — Sister Regina will be remembered as a truly dedicated religious, a devoted, prayerful sole who frequently brought a smile and cheer to others through her quiet humor, which endeared her to those who knew her.

Sister Regina is buried in St. Francis Cemetery at Mt. Assisi Place in Pittsburgh, Pa.