Sister Agnes Hughes (Formerly Sister Eileen Dolores) died in Camilla Hall on December 5, 2022, in the 76th year of her religious life.
Agnes was born on July 21, 1928. Her parents, James Francis and Agnes Dolores (Hennessy) Hughes raised their four children in St. Rose of Lima Parish before moving to St. Andrew Parish in Drexel Hill. Agnes attended St. Rose of Lima Elementary (1934-1942) and West Catholic High (1942-1946). Later, while in community, Sister earned an A.B. degree from Immaculata College and both her M.A. and Ph.D. in Psychology from Fordham University.
Agnes entered the Congregation on January 6, 1947; she received her habit and her religious name, Sister Eileen Dolores, on August 15, 1947; and she professed First Vows on August 15, 1949. When given the opportunity, Sister Eileen Dolores opted to return to the use of her baptismal name Sister M. Agnes Hughes.
Sister Agnes began her ministry of service immediately after professing her First Vows. Sister taught second grade children at St. Monica for two years and at Transfiguration for three months; Sister taught fifth and eighth grade children during her five years at St. Dorothy. In the fall of 1956 through the school year ending 1962 Sister high school students at Cardinal Dougherty High School.In the 1962-1963 academic year Sister Agnes studied at Fordham University for her MA in Psychology. Sister then taught at Immaculata College during the 1963-1964 academic year. Once again Sister Agnes returned to Fordham University to pursue doctoral studies. Sister earned this degree in 1967. In 1973, Sister Agnes earned her Certificate as a Licensed Psychologist.
For the next 50 years, Sister Agnes Hughes served at Immaculata University. Sister touched the lives of many students, community members, and colleagues. There is hardly a soul, who having met Sister Agnes, did not leave her presence feeling better about him/herself. We will miss Sister Agnes and her shining example as an IHM, a Teacher, a Counsellor, and a Friend will serve to remind each of us of our ability to be the same.
At the tender age of eighty-nine, Sister left her beloved Immaculata University to continue her ministry of caring for others via prayer and conversation with our Sisters at Camilla Hall. At the remarkable age of ninety-four, Sister left this earth with heart and hands full on December 5, 2022. God rest her beautiful soul.
In addition to her IHM Community, Sister’s nieces, nephews, grandnieces, and grandnephews survive Sister. Sister’s dear parents Frank J. and Agnes (Hennessy) Hughes, her brother, Rev. James F. Hughes, her sisters Dolores M. Curry, and Sister Eileen Hughes IHM predecease Sister.
Reverend Joseph McLaughlin, O. Praem celebrated Sister M. Agnes Hughes’ Funeral Mass and delivered the homily. Reverend Andrew Ciferni, O. Praem, Reverend William Kelley, S.J. and Reverend Michael Callaghan, C.M. joined Father McLaughlin at the altar on Saturday, December 10, 2022, 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