Sister M. Helen Patricia Comerford, IHM
Sister M. Helen Patricia Comerford, IHM, of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary died on Saturday, September 12, 1998 at the Marian Community Hospital in Carbondale, Pennsylvania.
She was born on July 16, 1902 in Plymouth, Pennsylvania, and given the name Margaret M. She was the daughter of the late Patrick J. and Ellen M. Brown Comerford. She entered the IHM Congregation on September 8, 1929, made temporary profession of her vows on April 21, 1932, and final profession of her vows on August 2, 1935.
Sister Helen Patricia served as an administrative and therapeutic dietician at St. Joseph's Hospital in Carbondale, PA, from 1932 to 1987, during which time she also taught nutrition and diet therapy courses at the hospital.
From 1987 to 1993, Sister served as a prayer minister at St. Joseph's Convent in Carbondale, PA, and at the Marian Convent in Scranton, PA, from 1993 until the time of her death.
She received a Bachelor of Science degree in home economics and nutrition from Marywood College in 1924. She completed further study at Columbia University, and St. Mary Hospital in Rochester, Minnesota. She was a registered dietician and member of the American Dietetic Association, the Northeastern Pennsylvania Dietetic Association and the National League of Nursing.
She was preceded in death by two sisters, Catherine (Kate) Comerford and Helen Brennan, and four brothers, Michael, John, Thomas and Dr. Joseph.
She is survived by five nieces, Helen Egan, Rose Reining, Mary Hanlon all of Scranton, PA; Helen Tracy of Levittown, PA; Anne Roche of Pittsburgh, PA; five nephews, John Comerford of Scranton, PA; Thomas P. Comerford of Clark's Green, PA; Joseph F. Comerford of Denver, Colorado; Dr. James Comerford of Grand Junction, Colorado; Thomas Brennan of Laurel, Maryland; and many grandnieces and grandnephews.
The funeral will be Wednesday, September 16 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 Tuesday from 2:00 to 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.
