Obituary

 

Sister M. Gerard McFadden, IHM

Sister M. Gerard McFadden, of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary died on Wednesday, April 12, 1922 in Scranton, Pennsylvania.

She was born on May 25, 1865 in Donegal, Ireland, and given the name Frances. She was the daughter of the late Hugh and Ellen McGinley McFadden. She entered the IHM Congregation on September 8, 1890, received the religious habit on August 2, 1891, and made profession of her vows on April 3, 1893.

Interment is at the Marywood College Cemetery, on the grounds of Marywood College in Scranton, 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.


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