Sister Claire Hutchinson, formerly Sister Agnes Cecilia, IHM died in Camilla Hall on November 2, 2021 after a long life of loving service. Sister Claire died in the 76th year of her religious life.
Sister Claire’s parents Earl and Frances (Coll) Hutchinson raised their family in St. Andrew Parish in Newtown, PA. Sister Claire attended St. Andrew Elementary School and Newtown High School from which she graduated in 1941. Later, while in Community, Sister earned her degree from Immaculata College.
Sister Claire entered the Congregation on February 2, 1946; she received her habit and her religious name, Sister Agnes Cecilia, on August 16, 1946, and she pronounced her First Vows on August 15, 1948.
Throughout Sister’s teaching ministry, she taught children in grades 1 and 2 plus Music from the school year beginning in 1948 through the school year ending in 1964. Sister worked with children at St. Ignatius in Centralia, St. Frances Cabrini in Fairless Hills, and St. John of the Cross in Roslyn.
In August 1964 through June 1989 Sister taught children in grades 1 and 3 at Immaculate Conception Philadelphia; Holy Trinity, Morrisville, NJ; St. Joseph in Collingdale; Villa Maria Academy in Malvern; Incarnation in Trenton; St. Joan of Arc in Philadelphia, and Sacred Heart in Lancaster.
Sister Claire’s last teaching assignment was in St. Matthew School in Philadelphia. Sister lovingly spent the next 22 years at “St. Matt’s,” where she taught 4th grade children through June 1993, then transitioned to teaching religious enrichment to children in different grades through the school year ending in 2011.
After 63 years in the classroom, and at the tender age of 88, Sister continued rendering IHM service and prayer at our Convent Home at Camilla Hall until her death on November 2.
Sister Claire’s parents Earl and Frances (Coll) Hutchinson, her sister Jane Fitzpatrick (Jack) and her brother-in-law Frank Carver predecease Sister. In addition to her IHM Community, she is survived by her sisters Marie Hutchinson, Ann Hendricks (Ross), Ginny Carver and her nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.
Rev. Michael Callaghan, C.M. offered Sister’s Funeral Mass on Tuesday, November 9, 2021 at 10:30 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to:
Camilla Hall Nursing Home
IHM Mission Advancement Office
230 IHM Drive
Malvern, PA 19355