Sister M. Naomi McCloskey, IHM

Sister M. Naomi McCloskey, IHM, of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary died on Saturday, February 20, 1960, at St. Joseph’s Childrens and Maternity Hospital in Scranton, PA.

She was born on October 26, 1897 in Jermyn, PA, and given the name Margaret. She was the daughter of the late William G. and Anna J. Lyons McCloskey. She entered the IHM Congregation on September 8, 1919, received the religious habit on December 27, 1919, and made profession of her vows on December 29, 1921.

Sister Naomi served as a teacher at the following schools: St. John the Evangelist School in Pittston, PA, from 1923 to 1924; St. Leo School in Ashley, PA, in 1924; St. Patrick School in Olyphant, PA, from 1924 to 1925; and Holy Rosary School in Scranton, PA, from 1925 to 1926. Sister served as a home economics teacher at Marywood College in Scranton, PA, from 1921 to 1923.

Sister Naomi also served as a medical technologist at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Carbondale, PA, from 1926 to 1938; and adoption social worker at St. Joseph’s Children’s and Maternity Hospital in Scranton, PA, from 1938 to 1955.

From 1955 until the time of her death, Sister Naomi served as administrator and superior at St. Joseph’s Children’s and Maternity Hospital in Scranton, PA. She was a recognized authority in the field of hospital administration and was founder of the hospital’s auxiliary.

She was preceded in death by a brother, William G. Jr.; and two sisters, Anna and Marie.

She is survived by two sisters, Elizabeth Eleanor McCloskey and Alys McCloskey, both of Jermyn, PA.

The funeral will be Tuesday, February 23 at 9:30 a.m. in the chapel at St. Joseph’s Childrens and Maternity Hospital in Scranton. Interment will be at St. Catherine’s Cemetery, Moscow, PA. Friends may call on Saturday, Sunday and Monday nights between 5:00 and 8:00 p.m. at St. Joseph’s Childrens and Maternity Hospital.

Archival Remembrance:

The shock of Sister M. Naomi’s death is still with us. Early Saturday morning, February 20, she was found dead, soon after God had summoned her to her eternal reward. Well may we hope that His reward was exceeding great, for she literally spent herself in the service of God’s little ones. The enlarged and improved hospital she has left to the administration of others gives eloquent testimony to her capable and whole-hearted love for the weak and helpless children whom God, through her Superiors, committed to her care. The hospital receives the finest rating from the thousands who know it.

Sister M. Naomi is deeply mourned. Her work in social service elicited high praise. She was an expert in the field of adoption and helped to formulate the present Adoption Laws of the State of Pennsylvania. All Scranton and its environs paid tribute to this learned and self-sacrificing Sister who had won the deepest respect and esteem of all associated with St. Joseph’s Hospital and its splendid service to God’s little ones. May we not fondly hope that the children who preceded her in death, were among her escorts to the throne of God.