Sister M. Beatrix Cawley, IHM
Sister M. Beatrix Cawley, IHM, of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary died on Thursday, December 29, 2011, at Our Lady of Peace Residence in Scranton, Pennsylvania.
She was born on December 29, 1921 in Carbondale, PA, and given the name Genevieve. She was the daughter of the late Hubert and Irene Merrick Cawley. She entered the IHM Congregation on September 8, 1948, made her temporary profession of vows on May 8, 1951, and her final profession of vows on August 2, 1954.
Sister Beatrix served as a teacher at the following schools: St. Ann High School in Scranton, PA, from 1951 to 1958; South Catholic High School in Scranton, PA, from 1958 to 1966; Maria Regina High School in Uniondale, NY, from 1966 to 1968; St. John the Evangelist High School in Pittston, PA, from 1968 to 1969; St. Patrick High School in Scranton, PA, from 1969 to 1975; Nativity of Our Lord Elementary School in Scranton, PA, from 1975 to 1977; Our Lady of Mercy Elementary School in Forest Hills, NY, from 1977 to 1980; St. Stephen Elementary School in New York, NY, from 1980 to 1983; Bishop Hoban High School in Wilkes-Barre, PA, from 1983 to 1984; and Sacred Heart High School in Carbondale, PA, from 1984 to 1994.
Sister also served as sacristan at the Marian Convent in Scranton, PA, from 1994 to 2006.
From 2006 until the time of her death, Sister Beatrix served as a prayer minister at Our Lady of Peace Residence in Scranton.
She received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Latin and a Bachelor of Music degree from Marywood College, and a Master of Arts degree in Latin and Greek from Catholic University of America.
She was preceded in death by three brothers, Hubert, John Ferris, and Robert C, and an aunt, Sister M. Gilbert Cawley, IHM.
She is survived by a special cousin, Thomas Kinney of South Abington Township, PA, nephews, nieces, and cousins.
The funeral will be Wednesday, January 4, at 11:00 a.m. with Mass of Christian Burial at Our Lady of Peace Residence, 2300 Adams Avenue in Scranton. Friends may call at Our Lady of Peace Residence on Tuesday, January 3, between 3:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. A prayer service will be held at 4:00 p.m. Interment will follow Mass on Wednesday at St. Catherine’s Cemetery in Moscow, PA.
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.
Reprinted from "In Memoriam" section of Journey, Summer 2012 issue
“God is love. God loved us and sent his Son as expiation for our sins”. John 4:9-10 This scripture verse was central to the way Sister Beatrix lived her life.
I have had the privilege of knowing Sister Beatrix for many years. I am sure that Sister has positively influenced many young people and helped them to recognize their potential and God-given goodness. Sister Beatrix truly tried to help many to realize that they were treasured by God and others.
Sister was an encourager of people. Sister Beatrix taught many disciplines. She loved languages, music, history, and math. Sister was most kind to anyone who struggled with a learning concept, but she would “just know” if someone wasn’t trying and urge them to work harder. She was a genuine scholar and an unassuming and caring teacher.
Family members meant so much to Sister Beatrix. If anyone in her family had a need, she diligently prayed for them and did everything in her power to help them.
Sisters in community were very special to Sister Beatrix. She understood the sisters’ individual needs and in her sisterly way reached out in love to them. Sister recognized the efforts of each sister and valued their endeavors.
Sister took great pride and delight in her sacristy work at the Marian Convent and at OLP. The sacristy was her labor of love.
She was one who knew that God loved her. Even in her last illness Sister demonstrated her interest and loving concern for anyone who visited her. She never complained about her physical challenges, but she thought about others who bore greater difficulties than she.
Sister Beatrix lived a long beautiful life, and I’m sure that she would say thank God for all that has been.
by Mary William Philbin, IHM
