Sister Mary Gerald O’Malley, IHM

Sister Mary Gerald O’Malley, IHM, of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary died on Thursday, October 10, 1889, at St. Cecilia’s Convent in Scranton, PA.

She was born on January 28, 1857 in County Mayo, Ireland, and given the name Mary. She was the daughter of the late Austin and Catherine Manley O’Malley. She entered the IHM Congregation on June 8, 1875, received the religious habit on April 25, 1876, and made profession of vows on August 27, 1878.

She is survived by two brothers, John P. of Scranton, PA, and Reverend James J. of Kingston, PA; two sisters, Catherine Mulkern of Westport, County Mayo, Ireland, and Anna Kane of Dunmore, PA; nieces and nephews.

The funeral will be Wednesday, October 12, with a solemn high mass of requiem at St. Peter’s Cathedral in Scranton, followed by interment at Cathedral Cemetery in Scranton, PA.

Memorial contributions may be made to support the retired IHM Sisters c/o the IHM Sisters Retirement Fund, IHM Center, 2300 Adams Avenue, Scranton, PA 18509.

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