Sister Clare Roche, IHM
Sister Clare Roche, IHM, (formerly known as Sister M. Isidora) of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary died on Tuesday, May 25, 2004, at the Marian Convent in Scranton, PA.
She was born on July 3, 1912, in Scranton, PA, and given the name Emma Clare. She was the daughter of the late Patrick and Laura McCrea Roche. She entered the IHM Congregation on September 8, 1933, made temporary profession of her vows on April 30, 1936, and final profession of her vows on August 1, 1939.
Sister Clare served as a teacher at the following schools: St. John Elementary School in Pittston, PA, from 1942 to 1945; St. Patrick Elementary School in Scranton, PA, from 1947 to 1948; St. Mary Elementary School in Avoca, PA, from 1948 to 1949; St. Rose Elementary School in Carbondale, PA, from 1975 to 1977; St. Paul Elementary School in Scranton, PA, from 1977 to 1978; Bishop O’Hara High School in Dunmore, PA, from 1978 to 1983; St. Matthew Elementary School in East Stroudsburg, PA; St. John the Evangelist Elementary School in Binghamton, NY; St. Patrick in Oneida, NY; St. Ann Elementary School in Devon, CT; as well as at schools located in Hollidaysburg, PA; Manhasset, NY, and Baltimore, MD.
Sister Clare served as principal at St. Mary of the Mount Elementary School in Pittsburgh, PA, and Archbishop Neale Elementary School in LaPlata, MD.
Sister also served as a receptionist at Marywood College in Scranton, PA, from 1983 to 1989. At the IHM Center in Scranton, PA, she served as an instructor at the Educational Enrichment Institute, from 1989 to 1991, and receptionist from 1991 to 1993.
From 1993 until the time of her death, Sister Clare served as a prayer minister at both the IHM Center and the Marian Convent.
She received a Bachelor of Arts degree in education and a Master of Arts degree in religious education, both from Marywood College.
She was preceded in death by six brothers, Hubert, Joseph, John, Robert, Francis, and Thomas, and four sisters, Margaret Coggins, Catherine Brennan, Mary Conaboy, and Loretta Hayes, and an aunt in community, Sister M. Constance Roche, IHM.
She is survived by a sister, Sister M. Lois, IHM of Scranton, PA,and several nieces and nephews.
The funeral will be on Friday, May 28 at 10:30 a.m. with Mass of Christian Burial at the Marian Convent followed by interment at St. Catherine's Cemetery, Moscow, PA. Friends may call after 2:00 p.m. on Thursday afternoon at the Marian Convent.
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.
Note: We have a discrepancy with Sister Clare's day of birth. Our records (baptismal certificate and death certificate) show it to have been July 3, 1912. However, her birth certificate states she was born on July 2, 1912.
