Sister Karen Marie Corcoran, formerly known as Loretta Marie Corcoran, died suddenly in Camilla Hall on March 16, 2023. Sister Karen died in the 73rd year of her religious profession.
Loretta Marie Corcoran was born on November 1, 1928. Her parents Joseph Corcoran and Frances (Feeley) Corcoran raised their family in Delaware County, PA. The family belonged to Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish in Morton, PA.
Loretta attended St. Rose of Lima elementary school (1935-1943) and Eddystone High School (1943-1947). Later, while in the Community, Sister earned her degree in Elementary Education from Immaculata College.
Loretta entered the Community on September 8, 1949; she received her habit and her religious name, Sister Karen Marie, on April 10, 1950; and Sister pronounced her First Vows on April 13, 1952.
Sister Karen Marie began her teaching ministry in April 1952 through the school year 1990. During these thirty-eight years, Sister served/taught children in grades three through seven. Sister touched many lives in the many different parishes where she served. Sister taught children at St. Martin of Tours; St. Richard; St. Pius X, Broomall; St. Dominic, Philadelphia; Immaculate Conception, Philadelphia; Holy Trinity, Morrisville; St. John Bosco, Hatboro; St. Thomas Aquinas, Croydon; St. Monica, Philadelphia; and St. Charles, Bensalem.
At the outset of the 1990 school year through the school year ending in 1996, Sister Karen’s manner of service focused on general assistance to administrators, faculty, and students in the following schools: St. Joseph, Aston; St. Edmond, Philadelphia; Immaculata High School, Somerville; and St. John of the Cross, Roslyn.
In August 1996 through August 1998, Sister Karen resided in Pacis Hall Convent and served our Sisters in Camilla Hall as a staff member. In August 1998 through August 2000, Sister resided at Gillet Convent and served as a valued general assistant in the Convent.
Sister Karen returned to Camilla Hall in August 2000 and rendered faithful service as a staff member; in 2016 Sister became a member of the Apostolate of Prayer Team and served in the capacity until her death on March 16, 2023. God rest her beautiful soul.
In addition to her IHM Community and her Local Community at Camilla Hall, Sister Karen is survived by her sister Agnes McNamara (Robert), her many nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews. Sister is predeceased by her parents Joseph and Frances Corcoran (Feeley); her sisters Dorothy McNicolas (Jack), Nancy Stern (Bud), Marie Davis (Elwood), Kathleen Mease (Harold) and her brothers Joseph Corcoran (Dot), William Corcoran (Ethel) and Jack Corcoran (Peg).
Reverend Michael Callaghan, C.M. celebrated Sister Karen Marie’s Funeral Mass on Friday, March 24, 2023, 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