Sister M. Gabriel Kane, IHM
Sister M. Gabriel Kane, IHM, of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary died on Thursday, January 17, 2013, at Our Lady of Peace Residence in Scranton, Pennsylvania.
She was born on September 27, 1925, in Wilkes-Barre, PA, and given the name Virginia E. She was the daughter of the late Thomas R. and Margaret Gibbons Kane. She entered the IHM Congregation on February 2, 1942, made temporary profession of her vows on August 2, 1944, and final profession of her vows on August 2, 1947.
Sister Gabriel served as a teacher at the following schools: St. Bernardine Elementary School in Baltimore, MD, from 1944 to 1954; Our Lady Queen of Martyrs Elementary School in Forest Hills, NY, from 1954 to 1955; Archbishop Neale High School in La Plata, MD, from 1955 to 1959; and St. Joseph High School in Williamsport, PA, from 1959 to 1966. She also served on the faculty at Maria Regina Diocesan High School in Uniondale, NY, from 1966 to 1969.
She served as vice-president for student affairs at Marywood College in Scranton, Pa, from 1969 to 1975. In 1975, she was named director of admissions at Marywood College, and served in that position until 1984.
From 1984 to 2005, Sister Gabriel served as the vicar for religious and associate director of Vocations for the Diocese of Scranton. During her tenure with the Diocese of Scranton, Sister served as director of Renew, and also served on the Diocesan Council of Women Religious, The Pontifical Association for the Missions, and as coordinator of the Religious Retirement Fund.
From 2005 to 2007, Sister Gabriel served on the staff for Conference and Event Services at Marywood University in Scranton, PA.
From 2007 until the time of her death, Sister Gabriel was a prayer minister at Our Lady of Peace Residence in Scranton.
Sister Gabriel served on the boards of Marywood University, The University of Scranton, Scranton Preparatory School, St. Pius X Seminary in Dalton, PA, and St. Vincent Seminary in Latrobe, PA.
She received a bachelor of science degree in education from Marywood College, a master of arts degree in French from Assumption College, and a master of science degree in counseling from the University of Scranton.
She was preceded in death by four brothers, Dr. Dennis J., Gerard P., Thomas R. Jr., and Joseph T., and three sisters, Helen Kane Simoson, Alice T. Gallagher, and Kathryn Schaal.
She is survived by a brother, Frank E. of Ponte Verde, FL, and four sisters, Margaret Mary Williams of Warwick, RI, Rita Stuewe of Somerset, NJ, Sister Margaret Mary, IHM, of East Stroudsburg, PA, and Sister Mary Alice, IHM, of East Stroudsburg, PA, thirty-five nieces and nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.
The funeral will be Monday, January 21, at 11:00 a.m. with Mass of Christian Burial at the IHM Center, 2300 Adams Avenue in Scranton. Friends may call at Our Lady of Peace Residence on Sunday, January 20, between 3:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. A prayer service will be held at 4:00 p.m. Interment will follow Mass on Monday at St. Catherine’s Cemetery in Moscow, PA.
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.
Reprinted from "In Memoriam" section of Journey, Spring 2013 issue
As we reflect on the life of our sister, Sister Gabriel, the first thing that comes to mind is her love of the IHM Congregation and
her deep faith. She was a strong woman of prayer to whom all of her siblings turned for guidance.
She was a woman of many talents, some of them unknown to those around her. Her early years found her not only teaching French but directing high school musicals, coaching forensics and debate teams and teaching CCD. She enjoyed attending meetings (always learning something new), concerts and traveling with her sisters.
In our family she was the “Matriarch.” She took responsibility for holding our large family together. We, being the two youngest of thirteen, felt she left home for the convent because we were too much work! She took great pride in the many accomplishments of all of our siblings and nieces and nephews.
From the beginning of her illness Gabriel was always happy, joy-filled and accepting of God’s will for her. She never complained nor felt sorry for herself. She enjoyed being in the community with the sisters for prayer, entertainment, or just being together.
Her life was filled with love of God, the IHM Congregation, her family and everyone she met along the way.
by Sister Mary Margaret, IHM and Sister Mary Alice Kane, IHM
