Sister M. Daria McGinn, IHM
Sister M. Daria McGinn, IHM, of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary died on Tuesday, December 27, 2022, at Our Lady of Peace Residence in Scranton, PA.
She was born on December 11, 1918, in Jamaica, NY, and given the name Mary. She was the daughter of the late James and Mary Christian McGinn. She entered the IHM Congregation on September 8, 1938, made her temporary profession of vows on May 8, 1941, and her final profession of vows on August 2, 1944. She was a graduate of St. Dominic High School in Oyster Bay, NY. Sister Daria received a Bachelor of Science degree in elementary education/English from Marywood College, and a Master of Arts degree in education/social science from University of Detroit.
Sister Daria served as a teacher at the following schools: St. Patrick Elementary School in Oneida, NY, from 1941 to 1948; St. Ann Elementary School in Nyack, NY, from 1948 to 1956; Nativity of Our Lord Elementary School in Scranton, PA, from 1956 to 1963; St. Ephrem Elementary School in Brooklyn, NY, from 1963 to 1970; St. John the Evangelist Elementary School in Binghamton, NY, from 1970 to 1975; St. Mary of Mount Carmel Elementary School in Dunmore, PA, from 1975 to 1983; and St. Paul Elementary School in Scranton, PA, from 1983 to 1994. She served as a teacher’s aide at Wyoming Area Catholic Elementary School in Exeter, PA, from 1994 to 2003.
Sister also served on support staff of the Marian Convent in Scranton, PA, from 2003 to 2006, and at Our Lady of Peace Residence in Scranton, PA, from 2006 to 2014, where she also served as a prayer minister until the time of her death.
She was preceded in death by four brothers, Peter, James, John, and Joseph.
She is survived by nieces and nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews, and cousins. She is also survived by the members of the IHM Congregation.
Interment will be at St. Catherine’s Cemetery in Moscow, PA. Because of restrictions related to the coronavirus, the funeral mass and graveside service are private.
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.
Prayer of Remembrance and Funeral Mass: https://video.ibm.com/recorded/132440631
Sister M. Daria McGinn, IHM, Funeral -Thursday, January 5, 2023
Refelction given by Sister Katie Clauss, IHM Congregation President
We welcome our sisters and associates, friends, former colleagues and past pupils of Sister Daria, who are joining us online. We welcome Father Joe Quinn, today’s celebrant and Frank Walsh, our cantor, who are former students of Sr. Daria. How she loved each and all of you!
Thank you very much for your presence among us.
As I reflected on Daria’s long and well-lived life I was reminded of a poem by Tagore:
I slept and dreamt
that life was joy.
I awoke and saw
that life was duty.
I worked and behold,
duty was joy.
After reflecting on the poem as written, I sense that Daria would reframe some of the language. I will take the liberty to offer what she might suggest:
I slept and dreamt
that life was joy.
I awoke and saw
that life was about faithfulness
I served and I came to see,
that faithfulness was joy.
Do you think that Daria might resonate with the reframe?
Daria’s 104 years included 81 years as an IHM Sister and 62 of those years ministering in elementary classrooms in Pennsylvania and New York. Her rootedness in God fortified her for living the mission as she provided service, faith-filled and faithful service with joy and walked with and taught her students.
Today’s responsorial psalm, based on Psalm 23, places before us the image of Jesus as the Good Shepherd. What a wonderful vision to use as we remember tenderly the memories we have of Daria. She was a faithful shepherdess as she actively nurtured the intellectual, spiritual, and relational growth of her students; as she encouraged and cheered for the school sports teams where she served; as she provided support for parents, colleagues, friends, and her IHM sisters.
Over her 81 years in the congregation, Daria would have prayed Psalm 23 many times in community prayer. I can only imagine that she found great comfort as she prayed the meaningful words and inspiring verses. As you listen to some of the verses from Psalm 23, imagine Daria praying them for herself, praying them for you at different times in your lives, praying for her sisters, for her students, their families, her colleagues, and friends.
The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.
Take a moment to imagine how Daria might pray with this verse: God, help those whom I love who are finding the day difficult. Please let them experience your abundant love and know that you are with them.
Even though I walk in the dark valley, I fear no evil, for you are at my side giving me courage
Take a moment to imagine how Daria might pray with this verse: As I wait for you, God, help me to know that you are walking with me. Help me to wait with courage.
You spread the table before me, you anoint my head with oil, my cup overflows.
Take a moment to imagine Daria praying with this verse: Help me and all of my sisters to be grateful for what we have received. Inspire us to be generous and to share our blessings with those who are in need. Pause
Only goodness and kindness will follow me all the days of my life; and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord for years to come.
Take a moment to imagine how Daria might pray with these words: For as long as my family, sisters, friends, and past pupils live, dear God, let your goodness and kindness follow them. Give them the courage and grace to remain in your presence as long as they have life within them.
Lona will place Daria’s scripture on the coffin as a reminder that our Sister Daria, was a woman of faith, she heard and responded to the word of God. She staked her life on it. It is the word of God, Jesus the Good Shepherd who now beckons her home.
Go in peace, Daria, May the Lord bless you and keep you! The Lord let his face shine upon you, and be gracious to you! May the Lord look upon you kindly and give you peace! Amen
