Sister Mary Mechtilde Adams, IHM

Sister M. Mechtilde Adams, IHM, of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary died on Sunday, April 2, 1950 at St. Mary’s Hospital in Scranton, PA.

She was born on December 25, 1873, in Balla, County Mayo in Ireland, and given the name Ann. She was the daughter of the late James and Bridget McDonald Adams. The family immigrated to the United States, and settled in Paterson, New Jersey. She entered the IHM Congregation on July 2, 1903, received the religious habit on December 31, 1903, and made profession of her vows on December 28, 1905.

Sister Mechtilde served as a teacher at the following schools: St. John the Evangelist School in Scranton, PA; IHM Academy in Coeur d’Alene, ID; St. John the Evangelist School in Pittston, PA; St. Rosalia School in Pittsburgh, PA; and St. Leo School in Ashley, PA.

She is survived by a brother, Richard of Jersey City, NJ.

The funeral will be on Tuesday, April 4, at 10:00 am at St. Mary’s Church in Avoca, PA, followed by interment at St. Catherine’s Cemetery, Moscow, PA. Friends may call on Monday after 2:00 p.m. at St. Mary’s Convent, 746 Spring Street, Avoca.

” The next mission opened in the West was that of Saint Joseph’s Parish, Spokane, Washington. Father De Kanter, the pastor, had built a convent and parochial school combined, a substantial three story brick structure with white stone trimmings. A band of Sisters was sent there during the summer of 1905 and the school was opened on September 8th. Sister M. Loyola was appointed superior. With her were associated Sister M. Anselm, Sister M. Catherina, Sister M. Luigi and Sister M. Mechtilde.”

Excerpted from The Sisters of the I.H.M.: The Story of The Founding of The Congregation of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary and Their Work In The Scranton Diocese by Sister M. Immaculata Gillespie, IHM, P.J. Kenedy & Sons, NY, 1921, p. 315

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