Sister M. Clare Kelley, IHM

Sister M. Clare Kelley, IHM, of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary died on Monday, June 10, 1974 at the Marian Convent in Scranton, Pennsylvania.

She was born on September 3, 1907 in Exeter, Pennsylvania, and given the name Genevieve Frances.  She was the daughter of the late Patrick and Anna O'Brien Kelley. She was a member of St. Cecilia's Parish, Exeter.  She entered the IHM Congregation on September 8, 1933, received the religious habit on April 24, 1934, and made profession of her vows on April 30, 1936.

Sister Clare served as a music teacher at the following schools: Nativity of Our Lord School in Scranton, PA, from 1936 to 1941, and St. Ephrem School in Brooklyn, NY, from 1941 to 1945.  From 1946 through 1974, Sister Clare served as a teacher of music education and applied music at Marywood College and the IHM Novitiate, both located in Scranton, PA.  

From 1974 until the time of her death, Sister Clare  served as a prayer minister at the Marian Convent.

She is preceded in death by four brothers, Reverend Thomas F., Reverend John P., Eugene Michael, and Bernard J., and four sisters, Marguerite Connor, Mary Hastings, Grace, and Regina Boyle.

She is survived by two sisters, Sister Margrete, IHM of Scranton, PA, and Anna Grace Kirby of Swoyersville, PA, nieces and nephews. 

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.