Sister M. Philomena Purcell, IHM

Sister M. Philomena Purcell, IHM, of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary died on Sunday, August 16, 1970, at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Carbondale, PA.

She was born on September 15, 1889 in Pittsburgh, PA, and given the name Marie E. She was the daughter of the late Thomas James and Elizabeth Mulvaney Purcell. Before entering the community, Marie was a teacher at schools located in Pittsburgh. She entered the IHM Congregation on August 16, 1920, received the religious habit on December 29, 1920, and made profession of her vows on December 29, 1922.

Sister Philomena served as a teacher in the following schools: St. Ann Elementary School in Scranton, PA; St. Leo Elementary School in Ashley, PA; St. Peter of Alcantara Elementary School in Port Washington, NY; St. John Elementary School in Susquehanna, PA; St. John the Evangelist Elementary School in Pittston, PA; Our Lady Queen of Martyrs Elementary School in Forest Hills, NY; St. Rosalia Elementary School in Pittsburg, PA; St. Mary Elementary School in Patton, PA; St. Mary-John School in Cresson, PA; St. Joseph Elementary School in Williamsport, PA; St. Rita Elementary School in Dundalk, MD; and St. Ann Elementary School in Devon, CT.

From 1969 until the time of her death, Sister Philomena was a prayer minister at the Marian Convent in Scranton.

She was preceded in death by a brother, James Louis.

She is survived by a sister, Inez M. Purcell of Pittsburgh, PA.

The funeral will be Tuesday, August 18, at 9:30 a.m. at the Marian Convent, with interment to follow at St. Catherine’s Cemetery, Moscow, PA. Friends may call on Monday at the Marian Convent.

Note: after the deaths of their parents, Marie, James and Inez lived with their maternal aunts, Mary A. Tobin and Agnes E. Purcell in Pittsburgh, PA.