Sister Mary David Merrick, IHM
Sister Mary David Merrick, IHM, of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary died on Tuesday, March 15, 1960 at the Marian Convent in Scranton, Pennsylvania.
She was born on August 18, 1867 in Scranton, Pennsylvania, and given the name Bridget. She was the daughter of the late Martin and Bridget A. Langan Merrick. She entered the IHM Congregation on January 5, 1894, received the religious habit on January 1, 1895, and made profession of her vows on February 2, 1897.
Sister Mary David served as a domestic and cook at the following: St. Cecilia's Convent in Scranton, PA, from 1895 to 1897; St. John's Convent in Pittston, PA, from 1897 to 1902; St. Patrick's Convent in White Haven, PA, from 1902 to 1908; St. Mary's Convent in Hollidaysburg, PA, from 1908 to 1913; St. Patrick's Convent in Olyphant, PA, from 1913 to 1920; Mount Saint Mary's in Scranton, PA, from 1920 to 1921; St. Ann's Convent in Scranton, PA, from 1920 to 1921 and 1934 to 1945; St. Mary's Convent in Avoca, PA, from 1922 to 1925; St. Agnes Place in Elmhurst, PA, from 1925 to 1932; St. Charles' Convent in Sugar Notch, PA, from 1932 to 1934; and St. John's Convent in Scranton, PA, from 1945 to 1956.
From 1956 until the time of her death, Sister Mary David served as a prayer minister at the Marian Convent.
She was preceded in death by five brothers, Thomas, James, John Joseph, Michael J., and Peter J., Sr., and two sisters, Maggie and Ellen Butler.
She is survived by nieces and nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.
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:
Long, long years of pain and illness were Sister Mary David's preparation for eternity; but neither pain nor illness lessened her joyful, happy spirit. As to years, she was our oldest Sister. Always she was a prayerful and devoted Sister. She zealously guarded her "right to be merry," and even more zealously she exercised her duty to be merry. No gathering of the Sisters at the Marian Convent was complete without her joyful presence. She extended to very one the gaiety of soul which rose above her infirmity. In her ninety-second year, Sister Mary David was "the life of the party" as she had been throughout her entire life. She was a challenge and an example to her Sisters and the fond remembrance of her gaiety in her painful suffering will linger in the hearts and minds of all who knew her. God grant her eternal rest.
