Sister M. Carmine Higgins, IHM

Sister M. Carmine Higgins, IHM, of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, died of an apparent heart attack on Tuesday, October 17, 1978 at the Marian Convent in Scranton, PA.

She was born on February 7, 1909 in Scranton, PA, and given the name Mary. She was the daughter of the late James A. and Sabina V. McAndrew Higgins. She entered the IHM Congregation on September 24, 1924, received the religious habit on December 29, 1924, and pronounced her vows on August 15, 1926.

Sister Carmine served as a teacher at the following schools: Most Holy Rosary Elementary School in Syracuse, NY; St. Bernard Elementary School in Hastings, PA; St. Patrick Elementary School in Olyphant, PA; and St. Thomas Aquinas Elementary School in Archbald, PA. She also taught at elementary schools located in New York City, NY, Pittsburgh, PA, and Rhode Island.

At the time of her death, Sister Carmine served on the support staff of the Marian Convent.

She was preceded in death by a brother, John.

She is survived by two brothers, Joseph J. of Hyattsville, MD, and Jerome of Dunmore, PA; four sisters, Eleanor Reese, Grace Lavelle, and Carmel O’Hora, all of Scranton, PA, and Sister M. Sabine, IHM, stationed at St. Joseph’s Children’s and Maternity Hospital in Scranton, PA; and several nieces and nephews.

The funeral will be on Friday, October 20, with Mass at 10:30 a.m. at the Marian Convent. Interment will follow at Cathedral Cemetery in Scranton, PA. Friends may call after 2:00 p.m. on Thursday at the Marian Convent.

Archival Remembrance:

Sister Carmine was a sincere, generous, caring person possessing firmness tempered with kindness, encouraging students to be the best that they could be — beloved by them. Her straightforwardness was but one of her admirable qualities. Even in illness, she always went the “extra mile” to do whatever needed to be done. In this she gave wonderful example to the younger sisters. Living with sisters in community was a growing and unforgettable experience.