Early IHM in Susquehanna, PA, Cemetery

Ellen McCormick of Choconut Township, PA, was born on January 1, 1838.  She entered the IHMs in May of 1860 at Susquehanna, PA, was received in July of that year, and professed in August 1861.  Sister Perpetua was one of the first teachers at St. John Parochial School in Susquehanna Depot.

What makes her life so interesting is that she died at the age of 24 from smallpox.  Mother Theresa Maxis was the Superior at St. John’s Convent in Susquehanna Depot at the time of Sister Perpetua’s illness and death, which occurred on Monday, August 18, 1862.  Mother sent most of the sisters to St. Joseph’s (Susquehanna) to keep them from developing the disease.  Sisters DeChantal and Anastasia remained with Mother Theresa, who personally nursed the ailing Perpetua.  Upon the death of Sister Perpetua, Mother Theresa bathed Perpetua’s body and dressed her in the full habit for burial.  According to Sister Immaculata Gillespie, Mother Theresa told the Sisters that this sister’s body had been the temple of the Holy Spirit when she was alive and should be treated with love and respect at the time of her death.  The burial had to take place at night because the quarantine rules forbid burial during the daytime.  There were no newspaper accounts of her death and burial, but we remember her and pray for her. 

There are two early IHMs buried in St. John’s Cemetery in Susquehanna Depot, PA—Sister Perpetua McCormick and Sister Mary Austin O’Neill.

Sister Perpetua’s niece was our own Sister Rita McCormack who died in 1957.  Note that there is a difference in the spelling of their last names, but they are each mentioned in the other’s obituary.