Sister M. Seraphia Gallagher, IHM
Sister M. Seraphia Gallagher, IHM, of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary died on Friday, April 19, 1996 at the Marian Convent in Scranton, Pennsylvania.
She was born on November 15, 1897 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and was the daughter of the late Daniel J. and Elizabeth A. Clarke Gallagher. She entered IHM Congregation on July 2, 1917, and made profession of her vows on December 27, 1919.
Sister Seraphia served as a business teacher at the following schools: Laurel Hill Academy in Susquehanna, PA; Most Holy Rosary School in Syracuse, NY; Sacred Hearts School in La Plata, MD; and St. John the Evangelist High School in Pittston, PA. She also taught business at Marywood College in Scranton, PA, from 1928 to 1934.
Sister Seraphia served as principal at the following schools: St. John the Evangelist School in Pittston, PA; St. Paul School in Scranton, PA; Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary School in New York, NY; and Most Holy Rosary School in Syracuse, NY.
She also served as the Secretary General of the IHM Congregation in Scranton, PA, from 1965 to 1978.
From 1978 until the time of her death, Sister Seraphia served as a prayer minister at the Marian Convent.
She received a Bachelor of Science degree in education from Marywood College, and a Master of Arts degree in education from the Teachers College at Columbia University.
She was preceded in death by three sisters, Anna, Catherine, and Bernice Elizabeth, and three brothers, including George and Daniel.
She is survived by a sister, Mary Gallagher of Los Gatos, CA, nieces and nephews.
The funeral will be Wednesday, April 23 with Mass of Christian Burial at the Marian Convent at 10:30 a.m., followed by interment at St. Catherine's Cemetery, Moscow. Friends may call on Tuesday at the Marian Convent after 2:00 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.
Archival remembrance:
On April 19, 1996, Sister Seraphia Gallagher made her long-awaited transition to eternal life. After 18 years in prayer ministry at the Marian Convent, where she touched many by her patience and acceptance, she surrendered all to God. Her kind and gentle manner were combined with much skill and knowledge obtained through her bachelor of science degree in education, awarded by Marywood College in 1918; and her master of arts degree, awarded from Teachers College at Columbia University in 1939. She brought the gift of wisdom rooted in prayer to her 13 years as the IHM Congregation Secretary. She also reached out with care and compassion to children and parents in the education ministry.
