Sister M. Dorinda Dougherty, IHM
Sister M. Dorinda Dougherty, IHM, of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary died on Wednesday, December 19, 2007 at Our Lady of Peace Residence in Scranton, Pennsylvania.
She was born on June 23, 1920 in Palmer, PA, and given the name Dorothy. She was the daughter of the late John J. and Elizabeth Phillips Dougherty. She entered the IHM Congregation on September 8, 1939, made temporary profession of her vows on May 8, 1942, and final profession of her vows on August 2, 1945.
Sister Dorinda served as a teacher at the following schools: St. Patrick Elementary School in Olyphant, PA, from 1942 to 1943; St. Ephrem Elementary School in Brooklyn, NY, from 1943 to 1950; St. John the Evangelist Elementary School in Silver Spring, MD, from 1950 to 1955; St. Bernardine Elementary School in Baltimore, MD, from 1955 to 1957; St. Matthew Elementary School in Wilmington, DE, from 1957 to 1963; St. Rita Elementary School in Dundalk, MD, from 1963 to 1966; Immaculate Conception Elementary School in Lock Haven, PA, from 1966 to 1967; and Holy Trinity Elementary School in Poughkeepsie, NY from 1967 to 1972.
Sister Dorinda also served as the CCD Coordinator the following: Holy Trinity Elementary School in Poughkeepsie, NY, from 1967 to 1972; St. Rocco Parish in Pittston, PA, from 1978 to 1981, and at St. Patrick Parish in Milford, PA, from 1981 to 1982. She was the Director of Religious Education at St. Rose Parish in Carbondale, PA, from 1982 to 1990; and St. Cyril of Jerusalem Parish in Jamison, PA, from 1990 to 2000.
From 2000 until the time of her death, Sister Dorinda served as a prayer minister at the Marian Convent and Our Lady of Peace Residence, both in Scranton.
She received a Bachelor of Science degree in education from Marywood College.
She was preceded in death by five sisters, Anna Mae, Margaret, Katherine, Elizabeth and Agnes Corbett, and eight brothers, John E., William, Patrick, James, Francis, Edward, Bernard and Austin.
She is survived by nieces and nephews.
The funeral will be Saturday, December 22, at 9:30 a.m. with Mass of Christian Burial at Our Lady of Peace Residence, 2300 Adams Avenue in Scranton. Interment will follow at St. Catherine's Cemetery, Moscow. Friends may call at Our Lady of Peace Residence on Friday, December 21, between 3:00 p.m. and 6:00 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.
Reprinted from "In Memoriam" section of Journey, Fall 2008 issue
When I recall the nursery rhyme –
Twinkle, twinkle, little star,
How I wonder what you are!
Up above the world so high,
Like a diamond in the sky!
Twinkle, twinkle, little star!
I think of Sister Dorinda. For those of you who may not have known her very well, Dorinda was a great dancer. She was so light on her feet that we called her Twinkle Toes. When she danced, she was like a feather swaying in a breeze. She was the life of any party, and her parties were always first class.
In addition to her joviality, Dorinda had a more serious side. When I lived with her at Saint Rose in Carbondale, she was the DRE for the parish. We both shared eight fruitful, happy years there. She set up a program for grades 1 through 8 which is still in existence today. She also trained many people for her program, frequently giving them in-service workshops. Sally Donahue, Sister Dorinda’s assistant, still remains in the program, and was happy and blest to share enriching moments and stories with her.
Sister Dorinda had a great love for her family. She was the youngest of fourteen children and shared the grief of loss for each one of them. She was particularly close to her sister, Margie, and Bim, her brother. She looked forward every summer to visiting her niece in California. They were very close as they shared familial ties. The trips west always gave Dorinda renewed enthusiasm. When those visits were no longer a reality, it caused her much sorrow.
There was a deeply spiritual dimension to Dorinda that emanated from her presence. She had great devotion to our Blessed Mother and a deep awareness of Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament. At the end of a busy day, Dorinda could be found each evening in chapel deep in meditation. She loved praying the rosary, and among the May devotions, the Crowning of Mary was her favorite.
When illness brought an end to her active life, Dorinda surrendered her will to the Lord. She loved her residence at Our Lady of Peace, and appreciated the loving care and concern of all who ministered to her. Although her activities were limited, her mind was well aware of what was happening around her.
Sister Dorinda has touched the lives of many people with her kindness and generosity and example. I know she has touched mine. Thank you, Dorinda, for all you have done for me personally, but mostly for your friendship. You will always be in my mind, my heart, and my prayers. You are now at peace and resting in the eternal life promised us by Jesus, the Risen Lord.
by Sr. Eleanor Kalafut, IHM
