Sister Maria James McNamara, IHM
Sister Maria James McNamara, IHM, of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary died on Friday, November 10, 2000, at Marian Community Hospital in Carbondale, Pennsylvania.
She was born August 10, 1909 in New York, NY, and given the name Bridget Elizabeth. She was the daughter of the late James M. and Bridget Spellacy McNamara. She entered the IHM Congregation on August 14, 1926, made temporary profession of her vows on January 2, 1929, and final profession of her vows on August 2, 1932.
Sister Maria James served as a teacher and/or principal at the following schools: St. Patrick Elementary School in Scranton, PA, 1929 to 1930; Holy Name of Jesus Elementary School in Forty-Fort, PA, 1969 to 1977; Most Holy Rosary Elementary School in Syracuse, NY; Holy Trinity Elementary School in Poughkeepsie, NY; St. Ephrem Elementary School in Brooklyn, NY; Little Flower Elementary School in Bethesda, MD; as well at schools located in Manhasset, NY.
Sister also served as a catechetical instructor at St. Ignatius Parish in Kingston, PA, 1950 to 1953.
Sister Maria James served in prayer ministry in Forest Hills, NY, from 1977 to 1983, and from 1983 until the time of her death, at the Marian Convent in Scranton, PA.
She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in education from Marywood College, and a Master of Arts degree in education from Villanova University.
She was preceded in death by three sisterss Sister Dolores Marie, IHM, Mary McNamara Devaney and Catherine Cullinane O’Dea, and a brother, John Cullinane.
She is survived by two nieces, Sister Kathleen O’Dea, IHM of Scranton, PA, and Bernadette Murphy of Brant Beach, NJ, and three nephews, Reverend John Cullinane of Rockaway Point, NY, Brendan Cullinane, Brooklyn, NY, and James O’Dea, Brooklyn, NY.
The funeral will be Tuesday, November 14 at 10:30 a.m. with Mass of Christian Burial at the Marian Convent, followed by interment at St. Catherine's Cemetery, Moscow. Friends may call at the Marian Convent on Monday between 2:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.
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.
