Sister M. Carmel Gallagher, IHM

Sister M. Carmel Gallagher, IHM, of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary died on Wednesday, March 14, 1917, at Mount St. Mary’s Seminary in Scranton, PA.

She was born on October 25, 1849 in Lackawaxen, PA, and given the name Bridget. She was the daughter of the late Anthony and Mary Cooney Gallagher. When she was a child, the family moved to Pittston, PA. Before entering the community, Bridget was a teacher in the Pittston City public schools. She entered the IHM Congregation on May 5, 1873, received the religious habit on November 21, 1873, and made profession of her vows on April 25, 1876.

Sister Carmel was a mathematics teacher at the following schools: St. Cecilia Academy in Scranton, PA; St. Rose Academy in Carbondale, PA; Laurel Hill Academy in Susquehanna, PA; St. Paul School in Scranton, PA; and St. Patrick School in Scranton, PA.

Sister also served as bursar at St. Cecilia Academy in Scranton, PA, and in child care for resident children at St. Patrick’s Orphanage in Scranton, PA.

She was preceded in death by a sister, Ann Lyons.

She is survived by two sisters, Maria Gallagher and Eleanor Gallagher, both of Scranton, PA; a brother, John of Kansas City, MO; nieces and nephews.

The funeral will be Friday, March 16 at 9:30 a.m. at Mount St. Mary’s Seminary, Scranton, followed by interment at the Marywood College Cemetery, on the grounds of Marywood College in Scranton, PA.

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“On September 18th, a Shrine of the Sacred Heart of Jesus was erected on the seminary grounds. The shrine was built in a picturesque spot not far from the little cemetery that now holds the remains of so many of our dear ones. This beautiful shrine was the gift of Mr. John Gallagher of Kansas City, brother of Sister M. Carmel. Sister M. Carmel watched its erection with the greatest interest and hoped to live to see it dedicated. Her hopes were not realized. She died on Wednesday, March 14, 1917. Her death was beautiful in its edifying resignation to God’s holy will. The shrine now, according to the wish of her brother, is Sister M. Carmel’s memorial.”

Excerpted from The Sisters of the I.H.M.: The Story of The Founding of The Congregation of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary and Their Work In The Scranton Diocese by Sister M. Immaculata Gillespie, IHM, P.J. Kenedy & Sons, NY, 1921, p. 462

Archival Remembrance:

For many years Sister M. Carmel labored at St. Cecilia’s Academy, as teacher of mathematics. She also while there held the important position of bursar. Later, St. Rose Academy, Carbondale; Laurel Hill Academy, Susquehanna; St. Patrick’s Orphanage, St. Paul’s Green Ridge, and St. Patrick’s School, West Scranton, were the scenes of her labors. Sister M. Carmel was greatly beloved both by her sisters in religion and the many pupils she instructed during her long career as teacher. She was always amiable and kind and practiced in letter and spirit the gospel of sunshine and helpfulness. She has left an example of cheer and encouragement to the many who were privileged to call her their friend.

abbreviated from The Scranton Republican · Scranton, Pennsylvania · Tue, Mar 20, 1917