Sister Mary Bride O'Malley, IHM
Sister Mary Bride O’Malley, IHM, of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary died on Wednesday, March 14, 2012, at Our Lady of Peace Residence in Scranton, Pennsylvania.
She was born on June 7, 1932, in Pittsburgh, PA, and given the name Catherine. She was the daughter of the late Thomas and Nora Concannon O’Malley. She entered the IHM Congregation on September 7, 1950, made temporary profession of her vows on August 2, 1953, and final profession of her vows on August 2, 1956.
Sister Mary Bride served as a teacher at the following schools: St. Patrick Elementary School in Scranton, PA, from 1953 to 1957; St. Mary Elementary School in Avoca, PA, from 1957 to 1958; St. Paul Elementary School in Cranston, RI, from 1958 to 1962; Our Lady of Mount Carmel Elementary School in Asbury Park, NJ, from 1962 to 1966; St. John the Evangelist Elementary School in Binghamton, NY, from 1966 to 1968; Our Lady Queen of Martyrs Elementary School in Forest Hills, NY, from 1968 to1970; St. Mary of the Mount Elementary School in Pittsburgh, PA, from 1970 to 1973; St. Mary Elementary School in Manhasset, NY, from 1978 to 1980; and St. John the Evangelist Elementary School in Silver Spring, MD, from 1985 to 1989.
Sister served as principal at: St. Aloysius Elementary School in Cresson, PA, from 1973 to 1976; St. John the Baptist Elementary School in Pittsburgh, PA, from 1976 to 1978; St. Ann’s Elementary School in Nyack, NY, from 1980 to 1985; St. Mary of the Mount Elementary School in Pittsburgh, PA, from 1989 to 1996.
Sister Mary Bride also served as an intake specialist at the Vocational Rehabilitation Center in Pittsburgh, PA, from 1996 to 2003; and was the president of the alumni association at St. Mary of the Mount Elementary School in Pittsburgh, PA, from 2003 to 2011.
From 2011 until the time of her death, Sister Mary Bride served as a prayer minister.
She received a Bachelor of Science degree and a Master of Arts degree in education from Marywood College, Scranton, PA.
She was preceded in death by two brothers, Thomas P. and Martin J.
She is survived by a sister-in-law, Jean of Castle Shannon, PA, and nieces and nephews.
The funeral will be Wednesday, March 21, at 11:00 a.m. with Mass of Christian Burial at Our Lady of Peace Residence, 2300 Adams Avenue in Scranton. Friends may call at Our Lady of Peace Residence on Tuesday, March 20, between 3:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. A prayer service will be held at 6:00 p.m. Interment will follow Mass on Wednesday 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, Summer 2012 issue
Being a religious Sister, Servant of the Immaculate Heart of Mary was especially important to Sister Mary Bride. Each time she attended Mass she would ask Christ to help her in being faithful to her vows. One of her favorite psalms was that with the words, “May I dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life!"
Mary Bride was richly blest with much creativity and many talents which she generously shared. She had a wonderful gift for laughing, for making others laugh. She loved people and parties, delighted in being the center of attention and fought for causes in which she believed. Countless children attended Catholic school, had food to eat, parents with jobs because she championed their causes. She knew that life was meant to be lived and enjoyed by all.
Pittsburgh, its charm and chatter, its ball games, and St. Patrick’s Day Parades had a special place in Mary Bride’s heart. Here her family resided, St Mary of the Mount was located, and here she spent much of her life, as student, teacher, principal, Alumni Association president. Here were her cats, the birds she fed, the bugs and insects she protected! She was at home!
Mary Bride has now found another home. She dwells forever in the House of the Lord. We thank God and her for the blessing of her life. Our world is indeed a better place for her having been here!
by Marge Caulson, IHM
