Posted September 24, 2026

Sister M. Rose McHugh passed away peacefully in Camilla Hall on September 18, 2026, after serving for 75 years as a Sister, Servant of the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

Born in Philadelphia on October 4, 1932, Rose was the daughter of the late Charles J. and Helen (Troy) McHugh. She grew up alongside her three siblings in Most Blessed Sacrament Parish—then the largest parochial grade school in the world—before moving to Transfiguration Parish in 1940. Rose graduated from West Catholic High School for Girls in 1950 and entered the IHM Congregation on September 8, 1951. She received the habit and her religious name, Sister Dennis Mary, in March 1952, and professed her initial vows on March 11, 1954. She later earned her Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education from Immaculata College in 1968.

Throughout her long ministry, Sister Rose devoted herself primarily to early childhood education, teaching students in first, second, and third grades. Her teaching journey began at St. Cyril School in East Lansdowne and St. Joseph School in Collingdale. In 1961, she moved south to teach at Epiphany School in Miami, Florida, before returning to Philadelphia to serve at Most Blessed Sacrament, St. Joseph in Aston, and Our Lady of Charity in Brookhaven.

Her ministry also took her to St. Matthew in Forestville, Connecticut, and St. Pius X in Norfolk, Virginia, before returning locally to St. Ephrem in Bensalem. Later in her career, Sister Rose transitioned to SS. Simon and Jude School in Westtown, where she spent 22 years inspiring a love of reading as the school librarian. In 2021, she joined the Prayer and Presence Community at Camilla Hall.

Sister M. Rose McHugh is survived by her IHM Community, as well as many nieces, nephews, grandnieces, and grandnephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Charles J. and Helen (Troy) McHugh; her brother, Charles McHugh (Margaret); and her sisters, Helen Roth (Nicholas) and Maria Clark (Robert).

Sister M. Rose McHugh’s Funeral Liturgy was celebrated at Camilla Hall on Thursday, September 24, 2026. Reverend Michael J. Gerlach was the main celebrant and homilist and Reverend Francis E. Chambers, O.S.A. concelebrated.

In Sister M. Rose McHugh’s memory, a donation may be sent to:

Camilla Hall Nursing Home
IHM Mission Advancement Office
230 IHM Drive
Malvern, PA 19355