Sister Maria Carmen Quiroz, IHM died in Camilla Hall on, Friday, October 1, 2021 the 76th year of her religious life shortly after her 96th birthday.
Sister Carmen was born on September 2, 1925 in Cuzco, Peru. Sister’s Dad, Profirio was born in Lima and her Mom, Edelmira was born in Cuzco, Peru. Sister Maria Carmen was educated at Villa Maria Academy in Miraflores, Peru. Later while in the Community, Sister earned a degree from Villanova College Extension at Villa Maria, West Chester and an additional degree from Georgetown University.
Sister Maria Carmen entered the Congregation as a Postulant on August 15, 1945. On April 22, 1946, Sister received her religious name and her religious habit. Sister professed her First Vows on August 15, 1948.
From the fall of 1948 through the school year ending in 2009 Sister taught children in both North and South America. Sister began the journey at St. James in Virginia where she taught children in third grade. Sister returned to Lima, Peru to work with kindergarten children at Inmaculado Corazon; then, back to Arlington, VA to work with first graders at St. Thomas More. From St. Thomas More, Sister went to St. Michael School in Annandale, VA to work with children in sixth and eighth grade.
Sister’s first high school teaching assignment was in Norfolk Catholic for one year, this experience was followed by a return trip to South America. From August 1968 through August 1989, Sister Carmen remained in South America and served the students, the Sisters, and the people in many different capacities: High School teacher, Superior, Religion Coordinator, and Coordinator-Primaria.
In 1989, Sister Carmen returned to her beloved State of Virginia – St. Michael Convent/School in Annandale for the next twenty years where she served as a tutor for third grade children and Spanish teacher for children in seventh and eighth grade.
The Apostolate of Prayer and Service to our Sisters and staff at Camilla Hall beckoned Sister Carmen, beloved of many, many Sisters and friends, in August 2009. Sister served in Camilla Hall as faithfully as she served anywhere and everywhere during her mission as a Sister, Servant of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. God rest her beautiful soul.
Her parents Porfirio and Edelmira Guevara, her sisters Gloria Quiroz Ladron de Guevara, and her brother Wilma Quiroz Ladron de Guevara predecease Sister.
Rev. Michael Callaghan celebrated the Funeral Liturgy on Thursday, October 7, 2021 at 10:30 AM.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to:
Camilla Hall Nursing Home
IHM Mission Advancement Office
230 IHM Drive
Malvern, PA 19355