Sister M. Joseph Marion Gallagher died in Camilla Hall on August 7, 2021 in the 76th year of her religious life.
Mary Ann Gallagher was born on September 30, 1926. Her parents Joseph and Sarah (McGuigan) Gallagher raised their family of three girls and one boy in St. Matthew Parish in Philadelphia.
Mary Ann attended St. Bernard and St. Matthew elementary schools followed by St. Hubert High School. Mary Ann graduated from St. Hubert’s in 1944. Later, while in the Community, she earned degrees from Immaculata and Villanova Universities.
Mary Ann entered the Congregation on September 8, 1945. She received her habit and her religious name, Sister Joseph Marion, on April 22, 1946. Sister Joseph pronounced her First Vows on August 15, 1948.
From the fall of 1948 through December 1957, Sister taught grade school children in Most Blessed Sacrament, Philadelphia; St. Monica, Berwyn; St. Dominic, Holmesburg; St. Martin, Philadelphia; and Our Lady of Grace, Penndel.
In December 1957 through the school year ending 1972, Sister taught high school students. Sister taught students at Marian High School, Tamaqua; Kenrick, Norristown; Epiphany, Florida; DJO’Connell, Virginia; St. Hubert, Philadelphia; Central Catholic, Allentown; Marian, Coaldale; and back to DJO’Connell, Virginia.
In the fall of 1972 through August 1984, Sister Joseph served as Local Superior/Principal at St. Margaret, Reading; Notre Dame, Miami; and St. Monica, Berwyn. Then, Sister served for one year at Bishop Shanahan as an English instructor. In August 1986 through the school year ended 1992, Sister once again served as Superior at Immaculate Heart Convent in Norristown and English instructor at Kenrick.
In August 1992 through August 2012, Sister Joseph resided at Immaculate Heart Convent in Springfield. Sister taught students English at Cardinal O’Hara High School; then in August 1998 until August 2012 Sister served students in a special program offered at Archbishop Prendergast.
Sister Joseph Marion continued her active ministry of giving to her Sisters at Camilla Hall. Sister joined the Apostolate of Prayer and Service in August 2012 and served joyfully until her death on August 7, 2021. May her beautiful soul rest in peace!
Her parents Joseph P. and Sarah M. (McGuigan) Gallagher, her brother Joseph Gallagher and her sisters Rita Gallagher (McSweeney) and Patricia Gallagher (McDermott) predecease Sister. Her sister-in-law Monica Gallagher and many nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews survive Sister.
Reverend Angelo R. Citino celebrated Sister’s Funeral Mass and delivered the homily on Wednesday, August 11, 2021 at 10:30 AM. May our dear Sister Joseph Marion rest in peace.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to:
Camilla Hall Nursing Home
IHM Mission Advancement Office
230 IHM Drive
Malvern, PA 19355