Sister Maria Francis Kearney, IHM

Sister Maria Francis Kearney, IHM, of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary died Tuesday, August 11, 1981 at the Marian Convent in Scranton, Pennsylvania, after an illness.

She was born on March 6, 1902 in the Minooka section of Scranton, Pennsylvania, and given the name Catherine. She was the daughter of the late John and Catherine McDonnell Kearney. She entered the IHM Congregation on January 1, 1923, received the religious habit on August 15, 1923, and made profession of her vows on August 15, 1925.

Sister Maria Francis served as a teacher at the following schools: Our Lady Queen of Martyrs Elementary School in Forest Hills, NY; St. Patrick Catechetical Center in Milford, PA; and St. Cecilia Elementary School in Exeter, PA.  

Sister also served in child care for resident children at St. Joseph's Center in Scranton, PA; St. Joseph's Shelter in Scranton, PA; and St. Mary's Home in Cresson, PA.  She also served as a member of the staff at Marywood College in Scranton, PA.

From 1978 until the time of her death, Sister Maria Francis served as a prayer minister at the Marian Convent.

She is preceded in death by a sister, Mary Munley, and a brother, Frank S.

She is survived by four sisters, Bea (Bridget) Kearney, Cecelia Kearney and Mrs. Frank O'Boyle, all of Scranton, PA, and Mrs. Charles Brown, Fairlawn, NJ, three brothers, James and Joseph, both of Scranton, PA, and Jerome of Raritan, NJ, and several nieces and nephews.

The funeral will be Friday, August 14 with Mass of Christian Burial in the Marian Convent Chapel at 10:00 a.m. Interment will follow at St. Catherine's Cemetery, Moscow, Pennsylvania. Friends may call at the Marian Convent on Thursday afternoon or evening.

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.