Obituary

 

Sister Mary Cecilia Desmond, IHM

Sister Mary Cecilia Desmond, IHM, of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary died on Tuesday, July 15, 1890 at St. Rose Convent in Carbondale, Pennsylvania, after a sudden illness.

She was born on May 1, 1870, in Ireland, and given the name Hannah. She was the daughter of Michael and Hannah Hurley Desmond. She entered the IHM Congregation on September 13, 1889, received the religious habit on April 8, 1890, and made profession of vows shortly before her death on July 15, 1890.

She is survived by a brother, Jeremiah.

Interment is at St. Rose of Lima Cemetery in Carbondale, 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