Sister M. Josephine Connerton, IHM

Sister M. Josephine Connerton, IHM, of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary died on Monday, November 16, 1925, at Marywood College in Scranton, PA.

She was born on March 17, 1865, in Sligo, Ireland, and given the name Sarah. She was the daughter of the late Michael and Ellen McLaughlin Connerton. The family immigrated to the United States in 1871, and settled in Scranton, PA. She entered the IHM Congregation on July 2, 1890, and made profession of her vows on April 3, 1893.

Sister Josephine served as a teacher at Most Holy Rosary School in Syracuse, NY. She also taught at IHM schools located in Carbondale, Scranton, Pittston, West Pittston, and Wyoming, PA; New York City, NY.

She is survived by a brother, Michael J., Jr. of Scranton, PA; two sisters, Catherine Melaniphy of Chicago, IL, and Mary Ellen Walsh of Scranton, PA; and several nieces and nephews.

The funeral will be on Thursday, November 19, in the chapel at Marywood College, Scranton. Interment will follow at the Marywood College Cemetery, on the grounds of Marywood College in Scranton, PA. Friends may call on Wednesday at the IHM Motherhouse on the grounds of Marywood College.

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