Sister M. Genoveva Chainey, IHM

Sister M. Genoveva Chainey, IHM, of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary died on Tuesday, November 21, 1967 at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Carbondale, PA.

She was born on February 16, 1891 in Florence, WI, and given the name Helen Marie. She was the daughter of late Benjamin and Amelia Courtois Chainey. She received her education from the Sisters of IHM at the IHM Academy in Coeur d’ Alene, Idaho. She entered the IHM Congregation on July 22, 1911, received the religious habit on December 27, 1911, and made profession of her vows on December 30, 1913.

Sister Genoveva was an accomplished musician and served as a music teacher at the following schools: St. Rosalia Elementary School in Pittsburgh, PA, from 1914 to 1919; St. Andrew Parish School in Portland, OR, from 1919 to 1921; IHM Academy in Coeur d’Alene, ID, from 1921 to 1929; St. Mary of the Assumption Elementary School in Upper Marlboro, MD, from 1929 to 1931; St. Patrick Elementary School in Scranton, PA, from 1931 to 1936; St. Alphonsus School in New York City, NY, from 1936 to 1937; St. Mary John School in Cresson, PA, from 1937 to 1939; St. Patrick Elementary School in Olyphant, PA, from 1939 to 1940; St. Cecilia Elementary School in Exeter, PA, from 1939 to 1940; St. Mary of the Mount Elementary School in Pittsburgh, PA, from 1940 to 1945; and St. Mary Elementary School in Manhasset, NY, from 1954 to 1957.

She was preceded in death by a brother, Edward, and a sister, Mary.

She is survived by four sisters, Sister M. Scholastica, IHM of Scranton, PA, Laura Mary Boucher of San Francisco, CA, Celine Maher of Santa Clara, CA, and Elsie Amelia Bohm of Redwood, CA; two brothers, Louis Benjamin and Ernest of Oakland, CA; and several nieces and nephews.

The funeral will be Friday, November 24 at 9:30 a.m. in the Marian Convent Chapel in Scranton, followed by interment at St. Catherine’s Cemetery in Moscow, PA. Friends may call at the Marian Convent on Thursday.

1909 – graduation photo from the IHM Academy in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho
photo credit: Bill Kapaun