Sister M. Evelina McCarthy, IHM
Sister M. Evelina McCarthy, IHM, of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, died suddenly on Friday, August 16, 1985, while visiting relatives in Philadelphia, PA.
She was born on May 1, 1904 in County Cork, Ireland, and was the daughter of the late Michael and Bridgid Crowley McCarthy. She entered the IHM Congregation on November 18, 1926, received the religious habit on August 15, 1927, and made profession of her vows on August 2, 1929.
For almost half a century, Sister Evelina served on the staff at St. Michael's Industrial School in Hoban Heights, PA. She worked in the food service department, was sacristan for the chapel, and gave loving care to the many orphaned boys who made their home there. In 1976, the Friends of St. Michael's honored Sister Evelina with a special award for "having helped to make St. Michael's a haven for unwanted and needy boys." At the time of her death, Sister Evelina was a resident at the Marian Convent in Scranton, PA.
She is survived by several nieces and nephews in Ireland, and two cousins, May Lowney and Helen Lowney, both of Philadelphia, PA.
The funeral will be Tuesday, August 20, with Mass of Christian Burial in the Marian Convent chapel at 11 a.m. Interment will follow at St. Catherine's Cemetery, Moscow, Pennsylvania. Friends may call at the Marian Convent Monday afternoon or evening.
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
