Sister Mary Helena Murphy, IHM

Sister Mary Helena Murphy, IHM, of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary died on Monday, December 30, 1901, at St. Cecilia’s Convent in Scranton, PA.

She was born on September 29, 1857 in Ireland, and given the name Margaret Ann. She was the daughter of Michael and Alice Whealon Murphy. The family immigrated to America, and settled in Philadelphia, PA. She entered the IHM Congregation on October 14, 1881, received the religious habit on April 12, 1882, and made profession of her vows on April 14, 1884.

Sister Mary Helena served as a teacher at St. Paul School and St. Cecilia Academy, both in Scranton, PA. She also served in child care for resident children at St. Patrick’s Orphanage in Scranton, PA.

In addition to her parents, she is survived by several brothers and sisters.

The funeral will be Thursday, Jan 2, at 9:00 a.m. with a high mass of requiem at St. Peter’s Cathedral in Scranton, followed by interment at Cathedral Cemetery in Scranton, PA.

The Congregation of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary benefited from the efforts to bring young women from Ireland to Scranton, Pennsylvania.

Over the years a total of sixty-five young women became professed IHM religious. Their services were received as far west at Coeur d’Alene, Idaho at the IHM Academy and at St. Edward School, Twin Falls, Idaho. The southern missions witnessed their dedication in Washington, Raleigh, and Rocky Mount, North Carolina. It was remarked that black children in some southern schools were speaking with an Irish brogue! The Sisters from Ireland also served in many locations in Pennsylvania, such as Dushore, Lock Haven, Exeter, Altoona, Pittsburgh, St. Michael’s School in Hoban Heights, Cresson, Pittston, Scranton, and Williamsport. New York and Rhode Island missions also received their services.

Excerpted from The Story of the Native Irish Sisters Who Entered the Congregation of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Scranton Pennsylvania by Sister M. Michel Keenan, IHM, 2006, p.18