Sister M. Carol Baden, IHM
Sister M. Carol Baden, IHM, of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary died on Thursday, October 27, 2011, at Our Lady of Peace Residence in Scranton.
She was born on April 22, 1920, in Piscataway, MD, and given the name Ruth Catherine. She was the daughter of the late Frank H. and Annie Cecilia Carroll Baden. She entered the IHM Congregation on September 8, 1935, made her temporary profession of vows on August 2, 1939, and her final profession of vows on August 2, 1940.
Sister Carol served as a principal at St. Monica Elementary School in Raleigh, NC, from 1954 to 1960; Cathedral Elementary School in Scranton, PA, from 1960 to 1962; Immaculate Conception Elementary School in Scranton, PA, from 1963 to 1969; and St. Mary Elementary School in Pittston, PA, from 1969 to 1970.
Sister served as a teacher at the following schools: St. John Elementary School in Scranton, PA, from 1939 to 1941; Our Lady of Perpetual Help Elementary School in Rocky Mount, NC, from 1941 to 1954; St. Leo Elementary School in Ashley, PA, from 1970 to 1973; St. Mary Elementary School in Upper Marlboro, MD, from 1975 to 1977; Epiphany Elementary School in Sayre, PA, from 1977 to 1986; St. Rita Elementary School in Baltimore, MD, from 1986 to 1988; and St. John the Evangelist Elementary School in Silver Spring, MD, from 1988 to 1996.
Sister Carol also served as the director of Regina Hall at Marywood College in Scranton, PA, from 1962 to 1963; and as a resident companion at the Marian Convent Scranton, PA, from 1996 to 1998.
From 1998 until the time of her death, Sister Carol served as a prayer minister at St. Mary’s Convent in Dunmore, PA, the Marian Convent, and Our Lady of Peace Residence, both in Scranton.
She received a bachelor of science degree in education, and a master of science degree in education, both from Marywood College.
She was preceded in death by three brothers, Thomas Carroll, George J., and Francis C.
She is survived by a sister-in-law, Margaret Baden of Clinton, MD; nieces and nephews.
The funeral will be Thursday, November 3, 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 Wednesday, November 2, 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 Thursday 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, Fall 2011 issue
The gold ring received by a sister at First Profession is a “public sign of God’s fidelity to her and her total dedication to Jesus Christ and his mission.” (Constitutions p. 20). Sister Carol’s life from the time she entered the IHM Congregation on September 8, 1935, to the time of her death on October 27, 2011, was dedicated to Christ and to his mission.
To have known Sister Carol was to know a person who was an outstanding woman religious, an excellent teacher, a trusted confidant, and a wonderful friend. Her life on earth was spent in making others feel special.
Sister Carol’s days in the classroom were her crowning glory. Not only did she teach students each day from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., she also taught piano lessons each afternoon until 5:00 p.m. To her, teaching was a labor of love—she never counted the cost.
Sister’s vitality showed itself in her every undertaking whether it was ministry, life in the convent, reaching out to students, family and friends, or concern for the marginalized. She was a selfless person. One with a great sense of humor, Sister Carol always had a little anecdote to share or a joke to tell.
A southerner at heart, Sister was very proud of her lineage. She was related to the Carrolls of Carrollton, Maryland, and to the first bishop of the United States, Archbishop John Carroll. In fact, it was the name “Carroll” she took for her religious name. She retained that name for a short time when the Bishop of Scranton advised that it be changed from the family name of “Carroll” to “Carol.”
Sister Carol’s funeral Mass was celebrated by Father John J. Kilpatrick whose homily included memories of Sister Carol at Chapel School during the years when he served as an assistant at Cathedral Parish. Also in attendance were many sisters, her beloved family, including her dear sister-in-law, Peggy, and other friends.
May Sister Carol now enjoy the eternal reward she so richly deserves!
by Martin de Porres McHale, IHM
