Sister M. Siena Gaughan, IHM
Sister M. Siena Gaughan, IHM, of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary died on Wednesday, August 11, 1965 at St. Joseph's Hospital in Carbondale, Pennsylvania.
She was born on September 23, 1886 in Ashley, Pennsylvania, and given the name Sarah Genevieve. She was the daughter of the late John and Ellen Keegan Gaughan. She entered the IHM Congregation on August 15, 1908, received the religious habit on April 13, 1909, and made profession of her vows on August 2, 1911.
Sister Siena served in child care for resident children at St. John's Home for Boys in Cresson, PA, from 1911 to 1940, and St. Joseph's Shelter in Scranton, PA, from 1940 to 1941.
Sister Siena served as a teacher at the following schools: St. Rose Elementary School in Carbondale, PA, from 1941 to 1944; St. John the Evangelist Elementary School in Pittston, PA, from 1944 to 1947, 1951 to 1953 and 1954 to 1957; St. Thomas Aquinas Elementary School in Archbald, PA, from 1947 to 1948; St. Mary Elementary School in Avoca, PA, from 1948 to 1951; and St. Patrick Elementary School in Scranton, PA, from 1953 to 1954.
From 1957 until the time of her death, Sister Siena served as a prayer minister.
She is preceded in death by five brothers, Joseph Leo, James Thomas, Richard P., Martin Aloysius, and Michael Joseph, and a sister Mary Murphy.
She is survived by a brother, Peter Lawrence, three sisters, Catherine Ann Finnegan, Margaret E. and Rose Agnes, nieces and nephews.
Interment is at St. Catherine's Cemtery 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.
Archival Remembrance:
Sister M. Siena Gaughan's service to our Community was long and selfless. At St. John's Home for Boys, she gave herself completely to the loving care of these, the neediest in Christ's vineyard. After thirty years at Saint John's, her success with small children took her to St. Joseph's Shelter, where she willing performed many services with devotion. In her later years, she was at St. John's, Pittston, where Sister was loved by all the children who came under her teaching. Often after school hours, she was always busy sewing and mending for the Sisters, and finding numerous ways to do little acts of charity for them. Sister Siena's quiet, prayerful manner touched all hearts. At the end, she did not want to give in, but a fatal illness took its toll, and God called her to her eternal reward.
