Sister M. Naomi McAndrew, IHM

Sister M. Naomi McAndrew, IHM, of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary died on Wednesday, December 11, 1918, at St. Mary’s Convent in Hollidaysburg, PA.

She was born on November 11, 1886 in Mahanoy Plane, PA, and given the name Florence. She was the daughter of John J. McAndrew and the late Margaret Kelly McAndrew. By 1900 the family had moved to Pittston, PA. She entered the IHM Congregation on September 8, 1913, received the religous habit on December 30, 1913, and made profession of her vows on December 30, 1915.

Sister Naomi served as a teacher at St. Rose Elementary School in Cabrondale, PA, from 1915 to 1918; and St. Mary Elementary School in Hollidaysburg, PA, from September 1918 until the time of her death.

She was preceded in death by a brother, Joseph.

In addition to her father, she is survived by three brothers, James, Joseph and Frank, and a sister, Mary (Mae).

The funeral will be Saturday, December 14, at 9:00 a.m. at Mount Saint Mary’s Seminary in Scranton, PA. Interment to follow at the Marywood College Cemetery, on the grounds of Marywood College in Scranton, PA.

“God had mercifully spared Marywood and now that the scourge had seemingly spent its force no more anxiety was felt. It was with a shock that we learned that the influenza had touched the peaceful little Convent of Hollidaysburg. Before the Sisters there were aware of the presence of the dreadful malady, Sister Naomi had fallen a victim. Her death took place on November 11 (sic). The Sisters were grief-stricken, for Sister Naomi had endeared herself to all. Among the children of Hollidaysburg she was greatly beloved. She had a winning manner, and in her quiet but forceful way drew many hearts close to the Heart of her Divine Saviour, to whom she had devoted her beautiful young life. Unconscious of the fact that Sister had died from influenza, Mother Superior had the body removed to Mount Saint Mary’s for burial. As soon as the undertaker saw the body he informed Mother of the danger. Immediately plans were made for the closing of school lest any students should contract the disease.”

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, pgs. 449, 450