Sister Mary Clement Kearns, IHM
Sister Mary Clement Kearns, IHM, of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary died on Monday, February 14, 1921, at the IHM Academy in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho.
She was born on November 18, 1857 in New York, and given the name Ellen. She was the daughter of the late Patrick and Mary Magher Kearns. She entered the IHM Congregation on October 1, 1888, received the religious habit on December 27, 1888, and made profession of her vows on August 2, 1891.
In September of 1903, Sister Mary Clement was appointed as the first superior of the IHM Academy in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. Prior to this appointment, she served as the superior of St. Rose Academy in Carbondale, Pennsylvania, and at St. Alphonsus Academy in Tillamook, Oregon.
The funeral will be on Thursday, February 17 at St. Thomas Church in Coeur d'Alene, ID, with interment to follow at the parish cemtery, St. Thomas Cemetery. Friends may call on Wednesday afternoon at the IHM Academy.
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.
IHM Academy, Coeur d'Alene, Idaho:
"To Sister M. Clement Kearns, its first superior, much of the success of the mission at Coeur d'Alene is due. With the exception of two years spent in the East as superior of Saint Rose Academy, Carbondale, Sister M. Clement directed the community of Coeur d'Alene from the time of her appointment until her lamented death on February 14, 1921. For her worth and work as a religious and educator, she was held in the highest esteem in Coeur d'Alene."
Excerpted from The Sisters of the I.H.M.: The Story of The Founding of The Congregation of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary and Their Work In The Scranton Diocese by Sister M. Immaculata Gillespie, IHM, P.J. Kenedy & Sons, NY, 1921, p. 315
(Sister Mary Clement's photo credit: Sister Superior Mary Clement. [Edu-6-8]; IHM Academy.com - Mr. Mike Ransom, Mr. Bill Kapaun)
