Sister M. Rachel Farrelly, IHM
Sister M. Rachel Farrelly, IHM, of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary died on Friday, March 20, 1959.
She was born on December 20, 1887 in Union Dale, Pennsylvania, and given the name Rose. She was the daughter of the late Thomas and Mary Jane O'Brien Farrelly. She entered the IHM Congregation on September 8, 1917, received the religious habit on January 3, 1918, and made profession of her vows on December 27, 1919.
Sister Rachel enjoyed her years of teaching children in our IHM mission schools, including at St. Rose Academy in Carbondale, PA, and St. Mary of the Mount School in Pittsburgh, PA, where she also served as superior.
She was preceded in death by three brothers, Thomas, James and Eugene, and a sister, Ella.
She is survived by a sister, Mary, and a brother, George, both of Philadelphia, PA.
Interment is 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.
Archival Reflection:
Many men and women who Sister Rachel Farrelly taught have called her blessed, for she was a thorough, painstaking teacher. Her teaching was shortened by years of illness. Her last months were filled with great weakness, and more and more she had to lean on others for guidance and strength. In these trying years, she saw God's holy will as He made it known to her and to her Superiors; patiently and humbly she gave her fiat. As all souls are made holy in the crucible of suffering and generously offered to God, so Sister Rachel accepted illness as her prelude to eternal rest.
