Sister Maria Charles Daly, IHM

Sister Maria Charles Daly, IHM, of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary died on Monday, October 27, 1980, at the Marian Convent in Scranton, PA.

She was born in Kilworth, County Cork, Ireland, on July 29, 1898, and given the name Annie. She was the daughter of the late Garrett and Anna Burke Daly. She entered the IHM Congregation, with her sister Nora (Sister M. Finbarr), on May 12, 1926, received the religious habit on August 15, 1926, and made profession of her vows on August 15, 1928.

Sister Maria Charles served as teacher at the following schools: St. Patrick Elementary School in White Haven, PA; St. Patrick Elementary School in Olyphant, PA; Epiphany Elementary School in Sayre, PA; St. Joseph Elementary School in Renovo, PA; St. John the Evangelist Elementary School in Bellefonte, PA; IHM Academy in Coeur d’Alene, ID; St. Thomas Regional School in Providence, RI; and at elementary schools located in Scranton, PA.

From February 1980 until the time of her death, Sister Maria Charles served as prayer minister at the Marian Convent.

She was preceded in death by five brothers, James, Patrick, Richard, John and David, and three sisters, Catherine Cowper, Sabina Daly and Sister M. Finbarr, IHM.

She is survived by nieces and nephews.

The funeral will be Thursday, with Mass of Christian Burial at 9:30 a.m. Interment will follow at St. Catherine’s Cemetery, Moscow, PA. Friends may call at the Marian Convent Wednesday afternoon or evening.

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