Sister M. Hilda Brown, IHM

Sister M. Hilda Brown, IHM, of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary died on Sunday, May 30, 1954, at St. Clare’s Hospital in New York City, NY.

She was born on November 21, 1875, in Ballina, County Mayo, Ireland, and given the name Mary. She was the daughter of the late Thomas and Mary Dacey Brown. The family immigrated to the America, and settled in Scranton, PA. She entered the IHM Congregation on September 24, 1902, received the religious habit on July 2, 1903, and made profession of her vows on August 15, 1905.

SIster Hilda served as a teacher at Laurel Hill Academy in Susquehanna, PA.

Sister served as superior and principal at the following schools: St. Joseph School in Spokane, WA; St. Peter of Alcantara School in Port Washington, NY; and Our Lady of Mount Carmel School in Asbury Park, NJ.

At the time of her death, Sister Hilda served as superior and principal at St. Alphonsus Commercial High School in New York City, NY.

She earned a degree in education from Marywood College.

She is survived by nieces and nephews.

A mass of requiem will be celebrated on Wednesday, June 2, at 9:00 a.m. at St. Alphonsus Church, New York City. The body will be transferred afterward to St. Agnes Place, Elmhurst, PA, from where the funeral will be held on Thursday, June 3, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Catherine’s Church in Moscow. Interment will follow at St. Catherine’s Cemetery, Moscow, PA.

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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

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“Sister Mary Hilda, daughter of Thomas and Mary Deacy Brown and principal of St. Alphonsus Commercial High School, Manhattan, died at St. Clare’s Hospital, New York, on May 30. Sister Hilda was educated at St. Patrick’s High School and Marywood College, Scranton, Pa. She entered the Community of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, in 1902 and was professed in 1905.

She served the community in various capacities, alway endearing herself to everyone with whom she came in contact. Those who knew her well remembr the joy she always found in working for God and His children. Sister Hilda was principal of schools in Spokane, Wash.; Portland, Ore.; St. Peter of Alcantara’s, Port Washington, L.I.; Asbury Park, N.J., and New York City.

The Requiem Mass was offered at St. Alphonsus Church on Wednesday, June 2, at 9 a.m. The body was transferred to St. Agnes Convent, Elmhurst, Pa. Another Mass was offered at St. Catherine’s Church, Moscow, Pa., Thursday, June 3. Interment was in the Sisters’ plot, St. Catherine’s Cemetery, Moscow, Pa.”

The Tablet · Brooklyn, New York · Sat, Jun 05, 1954 · Page 7