Sister M. Alphonsine Dinnihan, IHM
Sister M. Alphonsine Dinnihan, IHM, of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary died on Wednesday, September 27, 1922.
She was born on November 21, 1852 in Limerick, Ireland, and given the name Maggie. She was the daughter of the late John and Bridget Keating Dinnihan. She entered the IHM Congregation on August 9, 1872, received the religious habit on April 14, 1873, and made profession of her vows on November 1, 1875.
Sister M. Alphonsine served as a teacher at the following schools: St. Patrick School in Scranton, PA; St. John the Evangelist School in Scranton, PA; and St. Rosalia School in Pittsburgh, PA. In 1877, she was appointed as the superior at the newly opened St. Patrick School in Scranton, Pennsylvania, and in 1914, she was appointed as the superior at St. Rosalia School in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Interment is at the Marywood College Cemetery, on the grounds of Marywood College in Scranton, 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.
“The Congregation of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary benefited from the efforts to bring young women from Ireland to Scranton, Pennsylvania.
Over the years a total of sixty-five young women became professed IHM religious. Their services were received as far west at Coeur d'Alene, Idaho at the IHM Academy and at St. Edward School, Twin Falls, Idaho. The southern missions witnessed their dedication in Washington, Raleigh, and Rocky Mount, North Carolina. It was remarked that black children in some southern schools were speaking with an Irish brogue! The Sisters from Ireland also served in many locations in Pennsylvania, such as Dushore, Lock Haven, Exeter, Altoona, Pittsburgh, St. Michael's School in Hoban Heights, Cresson, Pittston, Scranton, and Williamsport. New York and Rhode Island missions also received their services.”
Excerpted from The Story of the Native Irish Sisters Who Entered the Congregation of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Scranton Pennsylvania by Sister M. Michel Keenan, IHM, 2006, p.18
