Sister M. Pauline Gallagher, IHM

Sister M. Pauline Gallagher, IHM, of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary died on Thursday, April 12, 1951, at St. Mary’s Hospital in Scranton, PA.

She was born on April 19, 1872 in Beaver Meadows, PA, and given the name Cecilia. She was the daughter of the late John and Ellen Dugan Gallagher. She entered the IHM Congregation on December 8, 1893, received the religious habit on May 24, 1894, and made profession of her vows on July 2, 1896.

Sister Pauline served as a music at the following schools: St. Paul School in Scranton, PA; St. Patrick School in Scranton, PA; St. John the Evangelist School in Pittston, PA; St. Bernard School in Hastings, PA; St. Cecilia School in Exeter, PA; and most recently at St. Mary School in Avoca, PA.

Sister served as principal and superior at St. Paul School in New Bern, NC.

She was preceded in death by seven brothers, Patrick, Cormac T., John M., Peter, William F., Charles J. and Frank, and three sisters, Mary Coll, Ellen Gallagher, and Bridget Brogan.

She is survived by a sister, Sarah D. Gallagher, and two brothers, James and Bernard, all of Freeland, PA.

The funeral will be Saturday, April 14 at 9:30 a.m. in St. Mary’s Church in Avoca, PA, followed by interment at St. Catherine’s Cemetery in Moscow, PA. Friends may call on Friday after 2:00 p.m. at St. Mary’s Convent, Avoca.

“The people of Saint Bernard’s Parish had long wanted a parochial school. Father Marcellus, O.S.B., the venerable pastor of Saint Bernard’s, acceded to their wishes, and in August, 1915, both convent and school were in readiness for the Sisters. Both buildings were of brick, and fitted up with every modern convenience. On August 26, 1915, the Sisters appointed for the new mission house left the mother house at Mount Saint Mary’s. They were Sister M. Isidore, Superior, Sister M. Alexius, Sister M. Pauline, Sister M. Eustochium, and Sister Marie Therese. They were accompanied by Sister M. Ildephonsus, Sister-assistant. The Sisters arrived in Hastings at 8.50 p.m. the following day, and there a surprise awaited them. Five hundred men, women and children, practically the whole population of Hastings, had assembled at the station to await the arrival of the Sisters. The Sisters were the cynosure of all eyes as they alighted from the train. Out from the silent and admiring throng stepped a venerable old priest who introduced himself as Father Marcellus. He gave them a most cordial welcome to Saint Bernard’s. They were then conducted to the automobiles, which the eager parishioners had placed at their disposal, and enjoyed an auto ride to the convent, three blocks distant. There another surprise awaited them. Sister M. Leon and Sister M. Nepomucene had come over from Patton to greet the travellers (sic). They had supper prepared, and after a short recreation, the Sisters were glad to retire. ”

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, p. 427