Obituary

 

Sister Marie Bernarde Kilcullen, IHM

Sister Marie Bernarde Kilcullen, IHM, of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, died on Wednesday, April 19, 1989 at the Marian Convent in Scranton, PA, after an illness.

She was born on June 3, 1905 in Pittsburgh, PA, and given the name Agnes Bernadette. She was the daughter of the late Thomas and Mary Elizabeth Mallon Kilcullen.  She entered the IHM Congregation on September 8, 1924, received the religious habit on December 29, 1924, and made profession of her vows on August 15, 1926.

Sister Marie Bernarde served as a music teacher at the following local schools: St. Patrick School in Scranton, PA; St. Joseph School in Williamsport, PA; Altoona Catholic High School in Altoona, PA; as well as at schools located in New York and Baltimore, MD.

Sister served as principal at the following schools: Sacred Heart of Mary Elementary School in Jermyn, PA; St. John the Evangelist Elementary School in Binghamton, NY; and at St. Edward Elementary School in Twin Falls, ID.

She earned a Bachelor of Music degree from Marywood College, and a Master of Arts degree in music/music education from Columbia University.

She is preceded in death by a brother, John, and six sisters, Bridget, Susan, Mary Genevieve Dunne, Catherine Doyle, Jane Kelly and Anna Elizabeth Yelle.

She is survived by nieces and nephews. 

The funeral will be Monday, April 24 with Mass of Christian Burial in the Marian Convent chapel at 10 a.m. Interment will follow at St. Catherine's Cemetery, Moscow, Pennsylvania. Friends may call at the Marian Convent Sunday 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.


Archival Remembrance:

Sister Marie Bernarde's long career as a music teacher was interspersed with service as an intermediate grade teacher and catechetical instructor.  Graduates of St. Patrick's in Scranton St. Josep's in Williamsport, and Altoona Catholic High School in Altoona, will remember Sister Marie Bernarde for her work with choirs, glee clubs, and private music pupils.