Sister Kathryn Birdsall, IHM
Sister Kathryn Birdsall, IHM, (formerly known as Sister M. Catherina) of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary died on Wednesday, January 31, 1996 at the Marian Convent in Scranton, Pennsylvania.
She was born on June 23, 1924 in Susquehanna, Pennsylvania, and given the name Kathryn Alice. She was the daughter of the late John and Mary King Birdsall. She entered the IHM Congregation on February 2, 1942, made temporary profession of her vows on August 2, 1944, and final profession ofher vows on August 2, 1947.
Sister Kathryn served as a teacher at the following schools: Sacred Heart of Mary Elementary School in Jermyn, PA; St. Cecilia Elementary School in Exeter, PA; St. AnnElementary School in Devon, CT; St. Ambrose Elementary School in Bridgeport, CT; St. Mary Elementary School in Goldsboro, NC; St. Ephrem Elementary School in Brooklyn, NY; St. Joseph Elementary School in Williamsport; St. Patrick Elementary School in Oneida, NY; St. Patrick Elementary School in Scranton, PA; Our Lady of Perpetual Help Elementary School in Rocky Mount, NC; and St. John the Evangelist Elementary School in Binghamton, NY.
Sister served as a catechetical instructor at St. Hugh Catechetical Center in Hughsville, PA; and St. Peter Catechetical Center in Wellsboro, PA.
Sister Kathryn also served as a secretary in the school office at Bishop O'Reilly High School in Kingston, PA; secretary at the Marian Convent in Scranton, PA; and receptionist at the Catherine McAuley Center in Scranton, PA.
From 1992 to the time of her death, she served in prayer ministry at the Marian Convent.
She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in education, and a Master of Science degree in elementary education, both from Marywood College.
She is preceded in death by a brother, Dr. Clair, and a sister, Evelyn Hough.
She is survived by a sister, Mary Pat Maloney of Susquehanna, PA.
The funeral will be Saturday with Mass of Christian Burial at the Marian Convent at 10:00 a.m., followed by interment at St. Catherine's Cemetery, Moscow, PA. Friends may call at the Marian Convent on Friday after 2:00 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.
Archival Remembrance:
A woman of keen insight, quick wit and faith-filled receptivity to God's grace in her life, Sr. Kathryn Birdsall entered eternal life on January 31, 1996. Gifted with the sensitive soul of a poet, she touched many with her writing, especially her reflections on living with cancer. She published a book of her own work entitled, In Poetry We Bond.
