Sister M. Harriet Hillis, IHM

Sister M. Harriet Hillis, IHM, of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary died on Sunday, December 3, 1967 at the Marian Convent in Scranton, Pennsylvania.

She was born on December 20, 1895 in Missouri Valley, Iowa, and given the name Bernice. She was the daughter of the late John and Linthe Aileen  Steen Hillis. She graduated from the IHM Academy in Coeur d'Alene, ID, in 1915.  She entered the IHM Congregation on September 8, 1915, received the religious habit on December 30, 1915, and made profession of her vows on January 3, 1918.

Sister Harriet served as a teacher at the following schools: Laurel Hill Academy in Susquehanna, PA, from 1919 to 1923; St. Bernard High School in Hastings, PA, from 1923 to 1925; St. Basil High School in Dushore, PA, from 1925 to 1929; IHM Academy in Coeur d'Alene, ID, from 1929 to 1932; St. John the Evangelist High School in Pittston, PA, from 1932 to 1937 and 1954 to 1955 and 1956 to 1957; Most Holy Rosary High School in Syracuse, NY, from 1937 to 1940 and 1955 to 1956; St. John the Evangelist High School in Scranton, PA, from 1940 to 1941; and St. Leo High School in Ashley, PA, from 1953 to 1954.

Sister served as principal at the following schools: St. Rose High School in Carbondale, PA, from 1941 to 1948, and St. Mary of the Mount High School in Pittsburgh, PA, from 1948 to 1953.  

From 1957 until the time of her death, Sister Harriet served as a prayer minister at the Marian Convent.

She is preceded in death by two brothers, Robert Emory and Burton Earl, a niece, Irma, and a nephew, Robert.

She is survived by a brother, Wallace, a nephew, Robert Burton, and a grandnephew, Steven Kirk.

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.

photo credit: Graduation Photo--http://www.ihmacademy.com/1915.jpg