Sister Maria Finbar Nugent, IHM
Sister Maria Finbar Nugent, IHM, of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary died on Thursday, July 20, 1995 at the Marian Convent in Scranton, Pennsylvania.
She was born on December 21, 1901 in Dublin, Ireland, and given the name Christine. She was the daughter of the late James and Elizabeth McNamee Nugent. She entered the IHM Congregation on September 30, 1926, made temporary profession of her vows on January 2, 1929, and final profession of her vows in August 1932.
Sister Maria Finbar served as a teacher at the following schools: Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary Elementary School in New York, NY; St. Thomas Aquinas Elementary School in Archbald, PA; St. Paul Elementary School in Cranston, RI; St. Ephrem Elementary School in Brooklyn, NY; St. Peter of Alcantara Elementary School in Port Washington, NY; St. Agnes Elementary School in Baltimore, MD; St. Joseph Elementary School in Renovo, PA; Sacred Heart Elementary School in Mount Holly, NJ; St. Joseph Elementary School in Williamsport, PA; and Holy Rosary Elementary School in Scranton, PA.
Beginning in 1977, she dedicated her life to prayer for the needs of the world at St. Thomas Convent in Archbald, PA, St. Ann Convent in Nyack, NY, and at the Marian Convent, where she resided from 1983 to the time of her death.
She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in education from Marywood College.
She was preceded in death by two sisters, and three brothers.
She is survived by a nephew, Michael Kettle of Ireland.
Interment is at St. Catherine’s Cemetery in Moscow, Pennsylvania.
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 native of Ireland, Sr. Maria Finbar Nugent graced the IHM Congregation with her presence for more than 66 years. As a joyful, gentle spirit, she touched the lives of thousands of children and their families. Her years as an educator took her to elementary schools in New York, Rhode Island, Maryland, and Pennsylvania. From 1977 until the time of her death, she dedicated her life to prayer for the needs of the world.
The Congregation of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary benefited from the efforts to bring young women from Ireland to Scranton, Pennsylvania.
Over the years a total of sixty-five young women became professed IHM religious. Their services were received as far west at Coeur d'Alene, Idaho at the IHM Academy and at St. Edward School, Twin Falls, Idaho. The southern missions witnessed their dedication in Washington, Raleigh, and Rocky Mount, North Carolina. It was remarked that black children in some southern schools were speaking with an Irish brogue! The Sisters from Ireland also served in many locations in Pennsylvania, such as Dushore, Lock Haven, Exeter, Altoona, Pittsburgh, St. Michael's School in Hoban Heights, Cresson, Pittston, Scranton, and Williamsport. New York and Rhode Island missions also received their services.
Excerpted from The Story of the Native Irish Sisters Who Entered the Congregation of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Scranton Pennsylvania by Sister M. Michel Keenan, IHM, 2006, p.18
