Sister Mary Gonzaga Walton, IHM

Sister Mary Gonzaga Walton, IHM, of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary died on Tuesday, July 12, 1887, at St. Cecilia’s Convent in Scranton, PA.

She was born on September 13, 1857, in Hawley, PA, and given the name Catherine (Kate). She was the daughter of Catherine Caveney Walton and the late Michael Walton. She was one of four sisters to enter the IHM Congregation, entering on February 2, 1885. She received the religious habit on August 25, 1885, and made final profession of her vows on July 12, 1887.

Sister Mary Gonzaga served in child-care for resident children at St. Patrick’s Orphan Asylum in Scranton, PA, from 1885 to 1887.

In addition to her mother, Catherine Walton, she is also survived by four sisters, Sister M. Gonzaga Walton, IHM, Sister M. Jerome Walton, IHM, Sister M. Bertrand Walton, IHM, and Agnes McAloon; four brothers, Michael W., Thomas A., John J., and Dr. James S., MD; nieces and nephews.

The funeral will be Saturday, July 16, at 9:30 a.m. at St. Peter’s Cathedral in Scranton, with interment to follow at Cathedral Cemetery, Scranton, PA.

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“Sister Gonzaga, who was Miss Catherine Walton, died July 12, 1887. She belonged to a family that has given five of its members to the Congregation of the Immaculate Heart. She was still in the novitiate when her fatal illness struck her and she had the happiness of making her holy vows before death came. Monsignor Cofley received her vows and a few hours later her pure soul was in the presence of her heavenly Spouse.”

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. 203