Sister M. Ivan Pollock, IHM
Sister M. Ivan Pollock, IHM, of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary died on Tuesday, February 17, 2009 at Our Lady of Peace Residence in Scranton, PA.
She was born on December 6, 1914 in Barnesboro, PA, and given the name Helen. She was the daughter of the late John and Ann Jurko Pollock. She entered the IHM Congregation on September 8, 1935, made temporary profession of her vows on May 2, 1938, and final profession of her vows on August 2, 1941.
Sister Ivan was a primary and intermediate teacher at the following schools: St. Michael’s School for Boys in Hoban Heights, PA, from 1938 to 1940 and 1955 to 1958; St. Mary Assumption Elementary School in Upper Marlboro, MD from 1940 to 1941; Sacred Heart Elementary School in La Plata, MD from 1941 to 1946; St. Rosalia Elementary School in Pittsburgh, PA from 1946 to 1950; Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Elementary School in Altoona, PA from 1950 to 1951 and 1959 to 1965; St. Mary Elementary School in Patton, PA from 1951 to 1953; St. John the Evangelist Elementary School in Bellefonte, PA from 1953 to 1955; St. Mary of Mt. Carmel Elementary School in Dunmore, PA from 1958 to 1959; St. Patrick Elementary School in Spangler, PA from 1965 to 1966; and Sacred Heart of Mary Elementary School in Jermyn, PA from 1966 to 1971.
Sister also served as a catechetical instructor at: St. Agnes' Catechetical Center in Forest City, PA from 1971 to 1974; St. Peter’s Catechetical Center in Wellsboro, PA from 1974 to 1976; and St. Patrick’s Catechetical Center in Milford, PA from 1976 to 1981.
She served on the support staff at the Marian Convent in Scranton, PA, from 1981 to 1994.
From 1994 to the time of her death, Sister Ivan was a prayer minister at the Marian Convent and at Our Lady of Peace Residence.
She received a Bachelor of Science degree in education from Marywood College.
She was preceded in death by two sisters, Mary Pizur and Agnes Michalowski, and five brothers, Paul, John, Peter, Michael and Andrew.
She is survived by a sister, Martha Callahan of Northville, MI, nieces and nephews.
The funeral will be Friday, February 20, at 11:00 a.m. with Mass of Christian Burial at Our Lady of Peace Residence, 2300 Adams Avenue in Scranton. Friends may call at Our Lady of Peace Residence on Thursday, February 19, between 3:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. A prayer service will be held at 4:30 p.m. Interment will be Friday at St. Catherine’s Cemetery in Moscow, PA.
Memorial contributions may be made to support the retired IHM Sisters c/o the IHM Sisters Retirement Fund, IHM Center, 2300 Adams Avenue, Scranton, PA 18509.
Reprinted from "In Memoriam" section of Journey, Fall 2009 issue
“The memory of the just will be blessed.” Proverbs 10:7
Indeed, those with whom I shared about Sister Ivan felt that blessings were gained simply by remembering and knowing this
quiet, self-effacing woman. They and I recall her as the gentle, kind and friendly sister from the town of Barnesboro, who loved teaching/being with children and who was ever ready to reach out to those in need. In addition to having enjoyed teaching in schools and catechetical centers, Sister Ivan also found pleasure in nature and gardening; she was quite proud of her tomatoes! She also liked traveling in her earlier years, always ready to jump into the car and drive off at a moment’s notice. Later, when she was called to service at the Marian Convent, where she drove the sisters to and from appointments for a number of years, her riders felt safe and comfortable with this cheerful, competent driver at the wheel.
Sister Ivan was experienced as one who never uttered unkind words about others and who was “all to all,” seldom if ever singling out anyone for special attention. Her prayerfulness was obvious to all who knew her and in the last couple of years of her life, as her health declined, she endured, heroically, suffering from several health issues.
“The intention in the human heart is like water far below the surface, but the (woman) of intelligence draws it forth.” Proverbs 20:5
Deep was Sr. Ivan’s wisdom and love. With her listening ear and heart, a keen intelligence and wit, she was able to provide many with counsel, comfort, and encouragement.
“Give her a reward of her labors and let her works praise her at the city gates.” Proverbs 31:31
Sister Ivan journeyed gently and peacefully upon this earth. May she now rest in the gentle heart of God, forever at peace in the kingdom.
by Linda Anne Greenberg, IHM
