Sister Mary Lima Fitzgerald, IHM
Sister Mary Lima Fitzgerald, IHM, of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary died on Saturday, September 23, 1967 at St. John's Hospital in Forest Hills, New York.
She was born on August 15, 1891 in Killarney, Ireland, and given the name Mary Frances. She was the daughter of the late Daniel and Ellen Flynn Fitzgerald. She entered the IHM Congregation on May 1, 1912, received the religious habit on August 2, 1913 and made profession of vows on July 6, 1915.
Sister Mary Lima served as a teacher in the following schools: Immaculate Conception Elementary School in West Pittston, PA, from 1915 to 1917; St. Alphonsus Elementary School in New York City, NY, from 1917 to 1920; St. Patrick Elementary School in Spangler, PA, from 1920 to 1923; St. Mary Elementary School in Avoca, PA, from 1923 to 1925 and 1936 to 1940; St. John Elementary School in Susquehanna, PA, from 1925 to 1929; St. Paul Elementary School in Scranton, PA, from 1929 to 1933; St. Peter of Alcantara Elementary School in Port Washington, NY, from 1933 to 1936 and 1947 to 1948; St. John the Evangelist Elementary School in Pittston, PA, from 1940 to 1942; St. Rosalia Elementary School in Pittsburgh, PA, from 1942 to 1946; Most Holy Rosary Elementary School in Syracuse, NY, from 1946 to 1947; and St. Mary Elementary School in Manhasset, NY, from 1948 to 1957.
From 1957 until the time of her death, Sister Mary Lima served as a teacher at Our Lady Queen of Martyrs Elementary School in Forest Hills, New York.
The funeral was held in Forest Hills, NY. 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.
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
