She Had Such a Beautiful Voice

So many of our sisters were known for their background in music, but very few were written about for their contributions in voice. Margaret Harrington was known for her beautiful singing voice. She was born in Pontypool, South Wales, on March 11, 1878; in 1885 she and her family left Wales and settled in Dunmore, PA. She entered the IHMs and was received in 1896 and professed on July 23, 1898.

Newspaper accounts state that Sister Mary Maurice was an accomplished musician. She must have been because at the age of 16, Margaret was an accompanist for the graduation program for St. Paul School in the Green Ridge section of Scranton, PA. She was known as having a voice of rare sweetness; she taught music and voice at St. Patrick School in Olyphant and St. Joseph School in Williamsport. However, Sister Mary Maurice had been ailing for about two years when she had to finally leave Williamsport for St. Rose Convent in Carbondale. The newspapers recount a touching moment in her short life of 24 years when her family was gathered around her as she lay dying. Each member of the family approached her bedside individually. The last person to speak with her was her father, Maurice. After she spoke to him, she took her last breath. What a rare and special moment that must have been. She died at St. Rose Convent at 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, April 13, 1902.

Sister Mary Maurice Harrington is buried in the Sisters’ Plot in St. Rose Cemetery in Carbondale, PA. She was known to be kind and gentle and extremely charitable. So, in gratitude we sing of the life of Sister Mary Maurice and pray that we be remembered for those qualities as well.