Sister Mary Talbot Keliher, IHM
Sister Mary Talbot Keliher, IHM, of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary died on Monday, November 27, 2006 at Our Lady of Peace Residence in Scranton, Pennsylvania.
She was born on March 29, 1926, in Brooklyn, NY, and given the name Catherine. She was the daughter of the late Francis and Catherine Talbot Keliher. She entered the IHM Congregation on September 8, 1948 and made her temporary profession of vows on May 8, 1951, and her final profession of vows on August 2, 1954.
Sister Mary Talbot served as a teacher at Laurel Hill Academy in Susquehanna, PA, from 1951 to 1955; St. Joseph High School in Williamsport, PA, from 1955 to 1958; and Cathedral High School in Scranton, PA, from 1958 to 1964.
Sister Mary Talbot served as a professor in the psychology department at Marywood College in Scranton, PA, from 1965 to 1983.
Sister also served as a clinical/school psychologist in private practice from 1990 to 2001, and school psychologist at St. Michael's Industrial School for Boys in Hoban Heights, PA, from 2001 to 2006.
From August until the time of her death in November, Sister Mary Talbot was a prayer minister at Our Lady of Peace Residence in Scranton.
She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in education from Marywood College, and a Master of Arts degree in clinical psychology from Fordham University. She was a licensed psychologist and a certified school psychologist.
She is preceded in death by a brother, Francis, an infant brother, William, and two infant sisters, Ann Theresa and Miriam, and a cousin, Sister M. Cyril Scanlon, IHM.
She is survived by three cousins, Mary Cardigan of Garden City, NY, Robert Talbot of Red Hill, PA, and Ruth Shannon of West End, NC.
The funeral will be Friday, December 1, at 10:30 a.m. with Mass of Christian Burial at the Our Lady of Peace Residence, 2300 Adams Avenue in Scranton followed by interment at St. Catherine's Cemetery, Moscow. Friends may call at the Our Lady of Peace Residence on Thursday, November 30, between 3:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.
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, Spring 2007 issue
One who knew, lived or worked with Sr. Mary Talbot knew a true Brooklynite. She was a New Yorker in every way, a person full of life and energy. She loved her family, her IHM community, our elderly Sisters, and all those with whom she lived and served. Having a great memory, she could recall events and people and became our great story teller.
Catherine, entered the IHM Congregation on September 8, 1948. At her reception, Mother Marcella gave her the name Sr. Mary Talbot in honor of Matt Talbot and asked her to pray for his beatification. Mary Talbot had the beautiful smile of an Irish colleen. She had many talents and used them well. She loved music and studied voice with Sr. Davidica Kildea, IHM. She was always available to be a cantor, a reader or a choir member for Liturgy. “Alleluia,” the Mozart Motet from the “Exsultet” was one of her performance songs.
Sister taught at Laurel Hill Academy, Susquehanna, St. Joseph High School, Williamsport and Cathedral High School, Scranton. She was a faculty member in the Psychology Department at Marywood College. She became a licensed and certified psychologist and had a private practice.
Sr. Mary Talbot truly loved her work with the young people she served. In her later years, despite problematic health, she journeyed to St. Michael’s in Tunkhannock to minister to the students there. Their appreciation of her kindness and care for them was evident by their respectful presence at her funeral liturgy.
Sister was preceded in death by her parents, her brother Francis, and her cousin, Sr. Cyril Scanlon, IHM.
by Sr. Mary Mark Lowery, IHM
