Sister M. Alphonso Gorman, IHM
Sister M. Alphonso Gorman, IHM, of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary died on Thursday, September 6, 1962.
She was born on September 17, 1885 in Inkerman, Pennsylvania, and given the name Mary M. She was the daughter of the late Thomas and Catherine Ford Gorman. She entered the IHM Congregation on September 7, 1903, received the religious habit on August 2, 1904, and made profession of her vows on July 26, 1906.
Sister Alphonso served as a teacher at the following schools: St. Joseph High School in Williamsport, PA, from 1905 to 1906; St. Joseph High School in Renovo, PA, from 1908 to 1914; St. Rosalia High School in Pittsburgh, PA, from 1914 to 1920; Most Holy Rosary High School in Syracuse, NY, from 1920 to 1922; St. Mary of the Mount High School in Pittsburgh, PA, from 1922 to 1914; and Holy Rosary High School in Scranton, PA, from 1924 to 1925. She also served as librarian at St. Ann School in Scranton, PA, from 1959 to 1962.
Sister Alphonso served as principal at the following schools: St. Ephrem School in Brooklyn, NY, from 1925 to 1929 and 1947 to 1953; St. Rosalia School in Pittsburgh, PA, from 1929 to 1935; Our Lady Queen of Martyrs Elementary School in Forest Hills, NY, from 1935 to 1941; St. Mary School in Manhasset, NY, from 1944 to 1947; and St. Raymond School in Lynbrook, NY, from 1953 to 1956. She was the superior at the IHM Motherhouse in Scranton, PA, from 1941 to 1944, and at St. Alphonsus Convent in New York City, NY, from 1956 to 1957.
She was preceded in death by four brothers, Thomas, Peter, Patrick, and George.
She is survived by three sisters, Margaret Cavanaugh, Catherine, Agnes McHale, and Sara, all of Kingston, PA, nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Interment is at St. Catherine’s Cemetery in Moscow, 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.
Archival Remembrance:
Sister M. Alphonso Gorman brought to our Congregation a fine mind and a zest for learning. No mental activity was taxing to her; study was a life habit. She was an outstanding teacher, exacting high achievement in the capable students. As a principal she was a meticulous organizer, and under her, the school ran smoothly. Both teachers and pupils knew their goals and strove to achieve them. As a supervisor, she gave ready help, generously transferring to others the splendid methods she knew so well. Teachers who worked with her pay tribute to her power to make them realize the importance of expert teaching as the necessary means to learning. As a Superior she was especially kind to the sick, both in the convent and in the parish. Many deathbeds were blessed by her presence and her prayers. Every school in which she labored bore the imprint of the high efficiency she maintained. She was a joy to the Office of the Superintendents, for her reports to them were always on time and perfect.
In her last years, when the shadows fell, it was not easy for her to accept her unusual role of inactivity. She longed for the classrooms she loved so well and taught so effectively. May God grant her the reward He has promised to those who serve Him well and faithfully.
