Sister M. Conception Donnelly, IHM

Sister M. Conception Donnelly, IHM, of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary died on Sunday, November 22, 1936, at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Carbondale, PA.

She was born on March 5, 1865 in Susquehanna, PA, and given the name Mary. She was the daugther of the late John and Ann Touhey Donnelly. She entered the IHM Congregation on April 8, 1872, received the religious habit on August 15, 1872, and made profession of her vows on February 9, 1875.

Sister Conception served as a music teacher at St. Cecilia Academy in Scranton, PA.

Sister served as principal at the following schools: Holy Rosary Academy in Scranton, PA; St. Patrick School in Scranton, PA; St. Joseph School in Williamsport, PA; St. Joseph School in Renovo, PA; St. John the Evangelist School in Pittston, PA; and St. Mary School in Avoca, PA.

She is survived by a cousin, Catherine Toohey of Wilkes-Barre, PA.

The funeral will be Wednesday, November 25 at 10:00 a.m. at St. John the Evangelist Church in Pittston, PA. Interment will follow at St. John the Evangelist Cemetery, Pittston. Friends may call on Tuesday afternoon at St. John’s Convent in Pittston.

“The first reception at Saint Cecilia’s took place August 15, 1872. The Right Reverend Bishop presided at the ceremonies, giving the white veil to the following: Miss Bridget Joyce of Pittston, who received the name in religion of Sister M. Theresa; Miss Frances Rose Hogan of Susquehanna, Sister M. Bernardine; Miss Margaret Flack of Philadelphia, Sister M. Seraphine; Miss Margaret Leonard, of Ireland, Sister M. Ludwina; Miss Mary Donnelly of Susquehanna, Sister Mary Conception; and Miss Bridget Maria Kelly of New York, Sister M. Rosalia.”

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. 150