Sister Maria Francis Kearney, IHM

Sister Maria Francis Kearney, IHM, of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary died Tuesday, August 11, 1981, at the Marian Convent in Scranton, PA, after an illness.

She was born on March 6, 1902 in the Minooka section of Scranton, PA, and given the name Catherine. She was the daughter of the late John and Catherine McDonnell Kearney. She entered the IHM Congregation on January 1, 1923, received the religious habit on August 15, 1923, and made profession of her vows on August 15, 1925.

Sister Maria Francis served as a teacher at the following schools: Our Lady Queen of Martyrs Elementary School in Forest Hills, NY; St. Patrick Catechetical Center in Milford, PA; and St. Cecilia Elementary School in Exeter, PA.

Sister served in child care for resident children at St. Joseph’s Center in Scranton, PA; St. Joseph’s Shelter in Scranton, PA; and St. Mary’s Home in Cresson, PA. She also served as a member of the support staff at Marywood College in Scranton, PA.

From 1978 until the time of her death, Sister Maria Francis served as a prayer minister at the Marian Convent.

She was preceded in death by a brother, Frank S., and a sister, Mary Munley.

She is survived by four sisters, Bea (Bridget) Kearney, Cecelia Kearney and Margaret O’Boyle, all of Scranton, PA, and Alice Brown, Fairlawn, NJ; three brothers, James and Joseph, both of Scranton, PA, and Jerome of Raritan, NJ; and several nieces and nephews.

The funeral will be Friday, August 14 at 10:00 a.m. with Mass of Christian Burial at the Marian Convent. Interment will follow at St. Catherine’s Cemetery, Moscow, PA. Friends may call on Thursday afternoon or evening at the Marian Convent.