Posted August 26, 2025

Sister Virginia Assumpta McNabb died in Camilla Hall on August 18, 2025 in the 74^th year of her religious life. Nancy McNabb was born on October 28, 1932 in Allentown, PA. Nancy’s parents Harry and Helen (Chesney/Huges) McNabb, originally from Lehigh County and Northumberland County respectively, raised Nancy and her sister Virginia in St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Allentown.

Nancy’s elementary school experience was challenging. Mr. McNabb died at the early age of 30 in 1938. This, no doubt, was part of the challenging grade school experiences for Nancy and for Virginia.  Nancy attended Jackson School (1938-1941), Franklin School (1941-1942), Sacred Heart Home School in Coopersburg (1942-1944), and St. Catherine of Siena School (1944-1946). It was here at St. Catherine of Siena School that Nancy met our IHM Sisters. Nancy attended Central Catholic High School (1946-1950); once again, Nancy crossed paths with our IHM Sisters.  Later, while in Community, Sister earned a B.S. degree in Business Education from Immaculata and an M.A. in Accounting from Catholic University of America.

The Spirit of the Lord certainly filled Nancy’s heart, for she entered our Congregation on September 8, 1951. Nancy received her habit and her religious name, Sister Virginia Assumpta, on March 10, 1952. Sister Virginia Assumpta professed her First Vows on March 11, 1954. Not long after her first profession, Sister Virginia began her first assignment at St. Laurence School in Highland Park where she taught sixth grade children. This was Sister’s first and last assignment instructing elementary aged children.

Sister Virginia Assumpta’s professional experience included teaching Business Education subjects, with an accent on Accounting and Economics. Sister taught ‘business’ students from January 1955 through June 2015. Sister served at Immaculata College (1/55-6/58); Catholic High School in Mount Carmel (9/58-6/60); and Notre Dame Academy in Miami (9/60-6/68).

In the fall of 1968, Sister Virginia Assumpta returned to Immaculata College where she ministered faithfully and untiringly in several differing capacities until 2015. From 1968-1973, Sister was the Director of Financial Aid; in 1973-1978, Sister served as the College Treasurer (1973-1978). Sister continued to serve as both an Economics and Accounting Professor as her schedule allowed.

Working hand-in-glove with her excellent teaching and money management skills, Sister Virginia was a valued member of several committees that sought to enhance the Immaculata experience for colleagues and students. During Sister’s tenure, Sister was an elected member of the College Council; she served as chairman of the Retention Committee; she was the  chairman of the Task Force for the Brochure for Cultural Affairs; she was an active member of the Accountants’ Advisory Board; she served as a member of the Campus Review Committee; and she was an esteemed leader on the Steering Committee for a Middle States Evaluation. Sister Virginia was generous with her time and her many talents. Sister Virginia was a joyful bearer of Good News wherever she went, whatever she did!

Sister Virginia ministered to her IHM Sisters, her colleagues, and her students from the term beginning in 1968 through the term’s end in 2015. Sister Virginia’s eyesight began to fail, and Sister thought it best to retire from her beloved Immaculata. Sister retired to our Convent home at Camilla Hall where she served as a faithful member of the Apostolate of Prayer and Service team until her peaceful death on Monday, August 18, 2025.

Sister Virginia Assumpta is survived by her IHM Community, her cousins Cheryl Saleskie and Michael Hoffman, and her many friends. Sister Virginia’s  parents Harry McNabb and Helen (Chesney, Huges) McNabb and her sister Virginia McNabb predeceased Sister Virginia Assumpta.

Reverend Francis Chambers, OSA, celebrated Sister Virginia’s Funeral Mass at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, August 25, 2025. The homily was given by Sister Virginia’s long-time friend, Deacon Henry (Hank) C. Fila, a Permanent Deacon, assigned to St. Norbert’s Parish in Paoli.

In Sister Virginia Assumpta’s memory, a memorial donation may be sent to:

Camilla Hall Nursing Home
IHM Mission Advancement Office
230 IHM Drive
Malvern, PA 19355