Mother M. Josepha Hurley, IHM

Mother M. Josepha Hurley, IHM, of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary died on Wednesday, December 4, 1940 during her second term as Superior General.

She was born on February 8, 1876 in Susquehanna, Pennsylvania, and given the name Delia (Adelia).  She was the daughter of the late Thomas George and Helen Maroney* Hurley.  She entered the IHM Congregation October 2, 1901 at St. Rose Novitiate in Carbondale, PA, received the religious habit on April 1, 1902, and made profession of her vows on August 2, 1904.

Sister Josepha enjoyed her years of teaching children at our mission schools, including at St. Cecilia School in Wyoming, PA. She served as principal and superior at six IHM mission schools.

Mother Josepha was elected as Superior General of the IHM Congregation in 1931, and was re-elected for a second term in 1937.  During her tenure sixteen new missions from Twin Falls, Idaho to Rocky Mount, North Carolina were opened.  She also served as the fourth president of Marywood College in Scranton, PA, from 1931 to 1940. 

She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Marywood College, and a Master of Art degree from Fordham University in New York. 

She is preceded in death by seven brothers, Edward W., John, Thomas H., Joseph, Stephen, Francis Loyola, and James A., and four sisters, Catherine, Mary E., Ellen, and Margaret "Maggie."

She is survived by 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.

*Mother's full name was Ellen Helen Maroney Hurley, but she went by Helen.