Sister M. Catherine Patricia McGirr, IHM

Sister M. Catherine Patricia McGirr, IHM, of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary died on Tuesday, April 4, 1995, at Community Medical Center in Scranton, PA.

She was born on July 5, 1904 in New York City, NY, and given the name Anges Marie. She was the daughter of the late Patrick and Catherine Gellis McGirr. She entered the IHM Congregation on March 25, 1926, made her first profession of vows on August 15, 1928, and her final profession of vows on August 2, 1932.

Sister Catherine Patricia served as a teacher at the following schools: Immaculate Conception Elementary School in Lock Haven, PA, from 1928 to 1929; St. Patrick Elementary School in Scranton, PA, from 1929 to 1939 and 1967 to 1974; Sacred Heart Elementary School in La Plata, MD, from 1939 to 1945; St. Raymond Elementary School in East Rockaway, NY, from 1945 to 1952; St. Mary Elementary School in Manhasset, NY, from 1952 to 1955; and St. Peter of Alcantara Elementary School in Port Washington, NY, from 1974 to 1989.

Sister served as principal at the following schools: St. John the Evangelist Elementary School in Scranton, PA, from 1955 to 1956; St. Ann Elementary School in Nyack, NY, from 1956 to 1962; and Our Lady of Mount Carmel Elementary School in Asbury Park, NJ, from 1962 to 1967.

From 1989 until the time of her death, Sister Catherine Patricia served as a prayer minister at the Marian Convent in Scranton.

She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in social studies from Marywood College, and a Master of Science degree in educational psychology from St. John’s University.

She was preceded in death by three sisters, Catherine McGirr, Ann McGirr, and Sister M. Terence McGirr, IHM; and a brother, Thomas.

She is survived by two sisters, Margaret McGirr and Mary Howard, both of Bayside, NY; two brothers, Terrence P. of Tenafly, NJ and Reverend Patrick J. of Flushing, NY; nieces and nephews.

The funeral will be Saturday, April 8, at 10:00 a.m. at the Marian Convent in Scranton, followed by interment at St. Catherine’s Cemetery, Moscow, PA. Friends may call at the Marian Convent after 2:00 p.m. on Friday.

Archival Remembrance:

Sr. Catherine Patricia lovingly served for 67 years as a Sister of IHM. Her warmth, courage, strength, and witness touched the lives of countless children and families in her service as a principal and teacher. Over the years she ministered at schools in the following cities: La Plata, MD; Asbury Park, NJ; East Rockaway, Manhasset, Nyack, and Port Washington, NY; and Lock Haven and Scranton, PA.