Sister M. Aquin O’Brien, IHM
Sister M. Aquin O’Brien, IHM, of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary died on Saturday, January 29, 1944 in Devon, Connecticut, after an illness.
She was born on August 24, 1916 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and given the name Ruth Elizabeth. She was the daughter of John and Emma Radley O'Brien. She entered the IHMs on September 8, 1934, received the habit on April 30, 1935, and made profession of vows on May 3, 1937.
Sister Aquin enjoyed her years of teaching children in our IHM mission schools. One of her assignments which began in 1939 was teaching religion classes at the newly established catechetical school in Devon, CT, which was the forerunner of the parochial school for St. Ann Parish.
She was preceded in death by two brothers, John R. and Edward.
She is survived by three brothers, Earl, Joseph Howard, and Eugene Edward, a first cousin in community, Sister M. Germana Radley, IHM, nieces and nephews.
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.
Below is an archival reflection on Sister M. Aquin O'Brien, IHM
Ruth O'Brien, a young woman from Pittsburgh, entered the IHM Congregation in 1934; she took the name Sister Aquin. One of her assignments which began in 1939 was teaching religion classes at the newly established catechetical school in Devon, CT. The sisters at Devon became a great source of fun, faith and family in the town. They were well respected and loved. The catechetical center was the forerunner of the parochial school for St. Ann Parish. One story is told that Sister Aquin arranged for prayers for a child who was severely ill and on the verge of death. The child recovered and the parishioners consider this healing a miracle. Sister Aquin’s life was cut short by illness and she died in Devon in 1944 at the age of 27.
