Sister M. Austin Dougherty, IHM

Sister M. Austin Dougherty, IHM, of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary died on Friday, December 14, 1928, at St. Agnes Place in Elmhurst, PA.

She was born on October 8, 1849 in Pottsville, PA, and given the name Roseanna. She was the daughter of the late James and Hannah Ketner Dougherty. She entered the IHM Congregation on October 9, 1871, received the religious habit on February 2, 1872, and made profession of her vows on August 14, 1874

Sister Austin served as a teacher at schools located in the Diocese of Scranton, PA. For many years, she also served as supervisor of schools, and superior of local convents within the Dioceses of Altoona and Harrisburg, PA. Her last mission was at St. Mary Elementary School in Hollidaysburg, PA.

From September 1928 until the time of her death, Sister Austin served as a prayer minister at St. Agnes Place.

She was preceded in death by two brothers, Henry F. and Daniel; and three sisters, Mary, Hannah C. and Virginia.

She is survived by three sisters, Sister Mary John, IHM, of St. Agnes Place in Elmhurst, PA, and Sarah Crosby and Catherine, both of Philadelphia, PA; a brother, John of Omaha, NE; nieces and nephews.

The funeral will be Tuesday, December 18 at 9:30 a.m. at St. Catherine’s Church in Moscow, PA. Interment will follow at St. Catherine’s Cemetery in Moscow. Friends may call on Monday at St. Agnes Place.

Archival Remembrance:

Sister M. Austin was a member for more than fifty years, being one of the first Sisters of the Immaculate Heart to make her vows in the Scranton Diocese. She made profession of her vows on August 14, 1874, at St. Cecilia Academy in Scranton, PA, shortly after St. Cecilia’s was made the motherhouse of the order.

Sister Austin taught in many of the schools of the Diocese of Scranton. She was also engaged in the work of the schools in the Dioceses of Harrisburg and Altoona, and for many years she also served as superior of convents and supervisor of schools. Her last mission was at Hollidaysburg, PA. She retired from duty in September of this year, and made her home with her blood sister, Sister Mary John, at St. Agnes Place in Elmhurst.