Sister Francis Maria Butler, IHM
Sister Francis Maria Butler, IHM, of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary died on Tuesday, May 3, 1977 at the Marian Convent in Scranton, Pennsylvania.
She was born on February 3, 1897 in Dublin, Ireland, and given the name Anna O'Meara Butler. She was the daughter of the late John and Mary Teresa O'Meara Butler. She entered the IHM Congregation on September 20, 1922, received the religious habit on December 28, 1922, and made profession of her vows on December 29, 1924.
Sister Francis Maria served as a cook at Marywood College in Scranton, PA; St. Rita Convent in Dundalk, MD, St. Patrick Convent in Olyphant, PA; St. Bernardine Convent in Baltimore, MD; St. Agnes Convent in Elmhurst, PA; St. Mary of Mt. Carmel Convent in Dunmore, PA; St. John the Evangelist Convent in Binghamton, NY, St. Raymond Convent in Lynbrook, NY; St. Joseph's Children's and Maternity Hospital in Scranton, PA; St. Leo Convent in Ashley, PA; and at the Marian Convent in Scranton, PA.
Interment is at St. Catherine’s Cemetery in Moscow, Pennsylvania.
Memorial contributions may be made to support the retired IHM Sisters c/o the IHM Sisters Retirement Fund, IHM Center, 2300 Adams Avenue, Scranton, PA 18509.
The Congregation of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary benefited from the efforts to bring young women from Ireland to Scranton, Pennsylvania.
Over the years a total of sixty-five young women became professed IHM religious. Their services were received as far west at Coeur d'Alene, Idaho at the IHM Academy and at St. Edward School, Twin Falls, Idaho. The southern missions witnessed their dedication in Washington, Raleigh, and Rocky Mount, North Carolina. It was remarked that black children in some southern schools were speaking with an Irish brogue! The Sisters from Ireland also served in many locations in Pennsylvania, such as Dushore, Lock Haven, Exeter, Altoona, Pittsburgh, St. Michael's School in Hoban Heights, Cresson, Pittston, Scranton, and Williamsport. New York and Rhode Island missions also received their services.
Excerpted from The Story of the Native Irish Sisters Who Entered the Congregation of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Scranton Pennsylvania by Sister M. Michel Keenan, IHM, 2006, p.18
