Sister M. Augustine McMenamin, IHM
Sister M. Augustine McMenamin, IHM, of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary died on Sunday, January 3, 1926.
She was born on February 16, 1860, in Londonderry, Ireland, and given the name Mary. She was the daughter of the late Hugh and Ellen Hegarty McMenamin. She entered the IHM Congregation on October 24, 1887, received the religious habit on March 6, 1888, and made profession of her vows on April 8, 1890.
Sister Augustine enjoyed her years of teaching in our IHM mission schools.
She was preceded in death by two brothers, Michael and John, and a sister, Anne O'Sullivan.
She is survived by four sisters, Ellen Cecilia Watson, Sister M. Aquinas, IHM, Sister St. Ann of Jesus (Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and Mary), and Sister St. Charles (Sisters of the Holy Family of Bordeaux), nieces and nephews, including a niece in community Sister M. Anita O'Sullivan, IHM, and a nephew, Reverend Vincent Hugh Watson, C.SS.R.
Interment is at the Marywood College Cemetery, on the grounds of Marywood College in Scranton, 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.
The Congregation of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary benefited from the efforts to bring young women from Ireland to Scranton, Pennsylvania.
Over the years a total of sixty-five young women became professed IHM religious. Their services were received as far west at Coeur d'Alene, Idaho at the IHM Academy and at St. Edward School, Twin Falls, Idaho. The southern missions witnessed their dedication in Washington, Raleigh, and Rocky Mount, North Carolina. It was remarked that black children in some southern schools were speaking with an Irish brogue! The Sisters from Ireland also served in many locations in Pennsylvania, such as Dushore, Lock Haven, Exeter, Altoona, Pittsburgh, St. Michael's School in Hoban Heights, Cresson, Pittston, Scranton, and Williamsport. New York and Rhode Island missions also received their services.
Excerpted from The Story of the Native Irish Sisters Who Entered the Congregation of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Scranton Pennsylvania by Sister M. Michel Keenan, IHM, 2006, p.18
