Sister M. Euphrasia Kelly, IHM

Sister M. Euphrasia Kelly, IHM, of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary died on Saturday, April 27, 1974, at the Marian Convent in Scranton, PA.

She was born on September 10, 1873 in Philadelphia, PA, and given the name Anna Marie. She was the daugther of the late James Michael and Ellie (Ellen) Margaret Gillhouse Kelly. She entered the IHM Congregation on January 6, 1903, received the religious habit on July 2, 1903, and made profession of her vows on August 15, 1905.

Sister Euphrasia served as a teacher in the following schools: St. Joseph School in Danville, PA, from 1905 to 1909; St. Leo School in Ashley, PA,from 1909 to 1913; St. Joseph School in Renovo, PA, from 1913 to 1915 and 1917 to 1918; St. Rosalia School in Pittsburgh, PA, from 1915 to 1917, 1918 to 1920, and 1921 to 1925; St. Patrick School in Scranton, PA, from 1920 to 1921; St. Mary of the Assumption Elementary School in Upper Marlboro, MD, from 1925 to 1930; Sacred Heart of Mary School in Jermyn, PA, from 1930 to 1931 and 1952 to 1955; St. Paul School in Scranton, PA, from 1931 to 1935 and 1939 to 1942; Holy Rosary School in Scranton, PA, from 1935 to 1939; St. Agnes School in Baltimore, MD, from 1942 to 1944; St. Joseph in Williamsport, PA, from 1944 to 1946; Immaculate Conception School in Lock Haven, PA, from 1946 to 1950; and St. Rita Elementary School in Dundalk, MD, from 1950 to 1952.

From 1955 until the time of her death, Sister Euphrasia served as a prayer minister at St. Agnes Place in Elmhurst, PA, and the Marian Convent.

She was preceded in death by seven brothers, Leo V., James, Francis, Michael, Joseph, Charles, and Harry (Henry).

She is survived by nieces, nephews, and several grandnieces and grandnephews.

The funeral will be Tuesday, April 30 at 9:30 a.m. at the Marian Convent, followed by interment at St. Catherine’s Cemetery in Moscow, PA. Friends may call on Monday at the Marian Convent.

Letter Received:

Sr. Euphrasia was my maternal grandfather’s aunt. As a child I remember going to see her with my family, and hers was the first funeral I attended. As a Philadelphia native from a parish with IHM sisters she attempted to enter the Immaculata IHM’s, but was rejected due to her age (~30). That is how she ended up with the Scranton IHMs.

Sincerely,
Msgr. Gregory Fairbanks
St. Charles Borromeo Seminary