Edna Marie Beirne

October 26, 2009

Edna Marie Beirne, 93, formerly of Wilkes-Barre, died Monday at Mercy Center. Born Nov. 17, 1915, in Dennison, Iowa, she was a daughter of the late Joseph C. and Bridget Houlihan Beirne. Edna was a graduate of University of Northern Iowa and continued her education at University of Colorado and American University. A Navy veteran of World War II, she served from 1944 to 1946. As a professional educator, Edna taught for several years before the war. She retired in 1971 after 25 years of service to the United States Department of Agriculture in Washington, D.C. A resident of Washington since 1946, Edna relocated to Wilkes-Barre in 1993 to be closer to family. She lived in Provincial Tower until April of 2007. Edna was a member of Parish of Saint Mary of the Immaculate Conception, Sodality of Our Lady and life member of American Legion, where she was the first female commander of her post. Sisters Donna B. Parsons and Delphine F. Beirne, and brothers Edwin L., Delbert J. and Irvin J. Beirne preceded her in death. Surviving are sisters-in-law Mary S. Beirne of Las Vegas and Mary B. Beirne of Kansas City, Mo., and numerous nieces and nephews. A Memorial Mass will be celebrated 9:30 a.m. Saturday in Church of Saint Mary of the Immaculate Conception, 130 S. Washington St. in Wilkes-Barre. Memorial donations are preferred and may be made to The Commonwealth Medical College, 150 N. Washington Ave., 7th Floor, Scranton, PA 18503 Arrangements by McLaughlin Family Funeral Service.