MONROE — 1,619 IHM Sisters are buried in the two cemeteries on the campus of Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Motherhouse on Elm Avenue. Frequently, visitors have a hard time finding a specific resting place.
So, the IHM Archives created a cemetery diagram and finding aid for the campus’ St. Joseph and St. Mary cemeteries. Scott Mushing, Motherhouse maintenance employee, built a wooden box for the guides. The box was installed on the grounds of the Motherhouse campus, said Sister Margaret Chapman, IHM Leadership Council president.
“I can affirm that people are using the box because I have had calls and I have referred them to it,” said Calley Duffey from the IHM Communications Department.
“Both the IHM Archives and the reception desk at the IHM Senior Living Community receive questions about Sisters’ grave locations from those who want to visit,” said Jennifer Meacham, IHM archivist. “Sister Margaret Chapman got this whole ball rolling.”
Pages in the guide list the Sisters by their religious names and given names and their dates of death and then provide section, row and grave number. Other pages in the binder list the rows and grave numbers and then give Sisters’ names and dates of death.