Sister Mary Gerard Ford, IHM

Sister Mary Gerard Ford, IHM, of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, died on Wednesday, October 14, 1987, at the Marian Convent in Scranton, PA.

She was born on December 25, 1898, in Inkerman, PA, and given the name Mary. She was the daughter of the late Michael and Alice Harkins Ford. She entered the IHM Congregation on July 2, 1923, received the religious habit on December 27, 1923, and made profession of her vows on August 15, 1925.

For most of her long career, Sister Mary Gerard taught at the junior high school level. She served as a teacher at the following schools: St. Mary Elementary School in Manhasset, NY; St. Peter of Alcantara School in Port Washington, NY; St. Ambrose School in Bridgeport, CT; Immaculate Conception Elementary School in Lock Haven, PA; and at schools located in New York City, NY; Exeter and Pittsburgh, PA.

Sister Mary Gerard served as school principal at the following schools: St. Mary of the Assumption Elementary School in Upper Marlboro, MD; St. Raymond Elementary School in Lynbrook, NY; and St. Charles Borromeo Elementary School in Sugar Notch, PA.

Before retiring to the Marian Convent in 1980, Sister Mary Gerard resided at St. Thomas Convent in Archbald, PA. From 1980 until the time of her death, she served as a prayer minister at the Marian Convent.

She is preceded in death by four brothers, Michael J. Jr., Francis J. (Frank), Thomas, and Joseph, and three sisters, Sarah Steed, Alice A. Ford, and Regina Ford.

She is survived by brother, Al (Aloysius) of Pittston, PA, nieces and nephews.

The funeral will be Friday, October 16 with Mass of Christian Burial at 9:30 a.m. at the Marian Convent. Interment will follow at St. Catherine’s Cemetery, Moscow, PA. Friends may call at the Marian Convent Thursday afternoon or evening.