Sister Mary Cecilia Desmond, IHM

Sister Mary Cecilia Desmond, IHM, of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary died on Tuesday, July 15, 1890, at St. Rose’s Convent in Carbondale, PA.

She was born on May 1, 1870, in Ireland, and given the name Hannah. She was the daughter of Michael and Hannah Hurley Desmond. She entered the IHM Congregation on September 13, 1889, received the religious habit on April 8, 1890, and made profession of vows shortly before her death on July 15, 1890.

Sister Mary Cecilia was a gifted musician, and devoted her time to giving instruction in music.

In addition to her parents, Michael and Hannah Desmond, she is also survived by a brother, Jeremiah, all of Ireland.

The funeral will be Thursday, July 17, at 9:30 a.m. at St. Rose’s Church in Carbondale. Interment will follow at St. Rose of Lima Cemetery in Carbondale, PA.

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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

“Sister Mary Cecilia, a novice of Saint Rose Convent, died Tuesday evening at six o’clock after an illness of less than two weeks. Sister Cecilia came to this country from Ireland about fifteen months ago, and after spending a short time with relatives in Williamsport entered the convent in this city as a postulant, and was received into the Order of the Immaculate Heart at the Easter reception four months since. The deceased sister was a gifted musician and devoted her time to giving instruction in music. The funeral will take place from Saint Rose Convent this morning at 9:30 o’clock. The remains will be conveyed to the Church of Saint Rose, where a solemn High Mass of Requiem will be celebrated, after which interment will take place in the convent grounds.”

The Scranton Republican · Scranton, Pennsylvania · Thu, Jul 17, 1890 · Page 3