Sister Maria Assumpta Clifford, IHM
Sister Maria Assumpta Clifford, IHM, of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary died on Thursday, May 5, 1960 at the Marian Convent in Scranton, Pennsylvania.
She was born on March 31, 1879 in Avoca, Pennsylvania, and given the name Agnes. She was the daughter of the late Phillip and Barbara Healey Clifford. She entered the IHM Congregation on July 16, 1904, received the religious habit on December 8, 1904, and made profession of her vows on December 27, 1906.
Sister Maria Assumpta served as a teacher at the following schools: Marywood Seminary in Scranton, PA, from 1905 to 1914; St. John the Evangelist High School in Scranton, PA, from 1919 to 1928; St. John the Evangelist High School in Pittston, PA, from 1943 to 1949; St. Alphonsus High School in New York City, NY, from 1949 to 1950; and St. Mary Elementary School in Manhasset, NY, from 1950 to 1955.
Sister served as principal at the following schools: St. Joseph High School in Williamsport, PA, from 1914 to 1919; Our Lady Queen of Martyrs Elementary School in Forest Hills, NY, from 1928 to 1934; Most Holy Rosary School in Syracuse, NY, from 1934 to 1937; and Immaculata High School in New York City, NY, from 1937 to 1943.
From 1955 until the time of her death, Sister Maria Assumpta served as a prayer minister at the Marian Convent.
She was preceded in death by two brothers, John and Philip, and two sisters, Maria and Matilda Oliver.
She is survived by a brother, Frank of Avoca, PA, nieces and nephews.
Archival Remembrance:
As a postulant and a novice, Sister Maria Assumpta Clifford was recognized as a cultured lady eminently fitted for the religious life. Moreover she was already an experienced teacher. In her labor in the community, she was a devoted teacher and a refined devout religious. During her years of teaching at Mount Saint Mary's (Marywood) Seminary, she enriched our community by her exquisite needle work, embroidering many handsome and valuable linens. Later ill health brought her many hours, even years, of weakness and distress; and her last long years of illness were extremely painful, for she suffered almost constantly. Yet, always Sister Maria Assumpta remained gentle and refined. Quietly at five-thirty in the morning on May fifth, God's summons came, and she peacefully passed into God's holy presence. May He be merciful to this devoted Sister who served Him so faithfully and so well.
