Sister M. Patricia Roach, IHM

Sister M. Patricia Roach, IHM, of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary died on Wednesday, December 3, 1924, at St. Patrick’s Orphanage in Scranton, PA.

She was born on June 8, 1859 in Galway, Ireland, and given the name Margaret. She was the daughter of the late Patrick and Margaret Blake Roach. She entered the IHM Congregation on March 13, 1877, received the religious habit on November 21, 1877, and made profession of her vows on December 31, 1879.

Sister Patricia served as a teacher many of the IHM mission schools within the Diocese of Scranton, including St. John the Evangelist School in Pittston, PA. She also taught at schools located in Pittsburgh, PA.

From 1922 until the time of her death, Sister Patricia taught at St. Patrick’s Orphanage in Scranton, PA.

She was preceded in death by a brother, Reverend Patrick T. Roche, and a sister, Mary Ruddy.

She is survived by a sister, Delia Roche of Tuam, Ireland; a brother, Peter F. of Oakland, CA; nieces and nephews.

The funeral will be Friday, December 5, with a high mass of requiem at St. Patrick’s Church in Scranton. Interment will follow at the Marywood College Cemetery, on the grounds of Marywood College 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