Sister M. Veronica McAndrews, IHM

Sister M. Veronica McAndrews, IHM, of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary died on Wednesday, November 1, 1916, at Mount St. Mary’s Seminary in Scranton, PA.

She was born on January 16, 1867 in White Haven, PA, and given the name Catharine. She was the daughter of the late Philip and Maria Burke McAndrews. She entered the IHM Congragation on September 12, 1882, received the religious habit on March 27, 1883, and made profession of her vows on April 6, 1885.

Sister Veronica served as a teacher at St. John the Evangelist School in Scranton, PA, and St. John the Evangelist School in Pittston, PA.

At St. Patrick’s Orphanage in Scranton, PA, Sister served in child care for resident children. Beloved by the orphans, she devoted herself tenderly to each child in her care.

She was preceded in death by two brothers, Philip (infancy) and Thomas, and an infant sister, Catherine.

She is survived by two brothers, John and William; five sisters, Belinda, Mary Rose, Ellen (Ella), Elizabeth (Lizzie), and Barbara McAndrews-McAndrews; nieces and nephews.

The funeral will be Saturday, November 4, at 9:30 a.m. with a high mass of requiem in the chapel at Mount St. Mary’s Seminary, Scranton. Interment will follow at the Marywood College Cemetery, on the grounds of Marywood College in Scranton, PA.

“After Saint Patrick’s, the parish of Saint John the Evangelist was established, August 1, 1886. The temporary structure which its first pastor. Reverend R. A. McAndrew, erected, was from its shape called facetiously, “The Wigwam.” At the invitation of the zealous pastor, the Sisters from Saint Cecilia’s conducted a Sunday school there for the children of the parish. The corner-stone of a new church, a combination building, part of which was to serve as a school, was commenced in 1886. It was dedicated, April 7, 1887, and in the September following, the school was opened. No convent could be provided at the time, but the generous pastor rented a residence for himself and gave the rectory over to the use of the Sisters. Sister M. Alphonsine was appointed superior. With her the following Sisters made up the first community: Sister M. Gertrude, Sister M. Perpetua, Sister M. Veronica, Sister M. Ignatius, Sister M. Mercedes, Sister M. Paul, and Sister M. Joachim. The school was successful from the beginning, due mainly to the untiring zeal of the good pastor who realized that the religious training of the children was the best augury for the welfare of the parish in the future.”

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. 194

“On the feast of All Saints, our dear Sister M. Veronica went to join the happy spirits whom the Church honors on this beautiful feast. She herself announced on All Saints’ Day that her end was near. The peace which prevailed in her death chamber made those present feel that all was well indeed with gentle Sister M. Veronica.”

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. 453