Sister Harriet Jackson, IHM
Sister Harriet Jackson, IHM, (formerly known as Sister M. Evangelist) of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary died on Friday, April 19, 2013, at Our Lady of Peace Residence in Scranton, Pennsylvania.
She was born on February 16, 1926, in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, and was the daughter of the late Frederick Joseph and Harriet Elva Landon Jackson. She entered the IHM Congregation on September 8, 1950, made temporary profession of her vows on August 2, 1953, and final profession of her vows on August 2, 1956.
Sister Harriet served as a teacher at the following schools: St. Alphonsus High School in New York, NY, from 1953 to 1954; Laurel Hill Academy in Susquehanna, PA, from 1954 to 1956; St. Mary of the Mount High School in Pittsburgh, PA, from 1956 to 1966; Immaculata High School in New York, NY, from 1966 to 1968; South Scranton Catholic High School in Scranton, PA, from 1968 to 1971; and Most Holy Rosary High School in Syracuse, NY, from 1971 to 1972.
Sister also served as Communications Office secretary at the IHM Center in Scranton, PA, from 1972 to 1992; administrative assistant at the Marian Convent in Scranton, PA, from 1992 to 2006; and on the support staff at Our Lady of Peace Residence in Scranton, PA, from 2006 to 2008.
From 2008 until the time of her death, Sister Harriet served as a prayer minister at Our Lady of Peace Residence in Scranton.
She received a Bachelor of Science degree in business education from Marywood College, and a Master of Science degree in business education from Duquesne University.
She is survived by two brothers, James B. of Deerfield, FL, and Frederick of Allentown, PA, two sisters, Carolyn LaJeunesse of Macungie, PA, and Elizabeth Bradt DiMarco of Clearwater, FL, a foster sister, Betty Bichle of Deerfield Beach, FL, and nieces and nephews.
The funeral will be Tuesday, April 23, 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 Monday, April 22, between 3:00 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. A prayer service will be held at 4:00 p.m. Interment will follow Mass on Tuesday 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 2013 issue
My daughter, from your youth embrace discipline, and thus will you find Wisdom... Seek her and you will find her. Then when you have her, do not let her go; Thus will you afterward find rest in her; And she will become your joy. - Sirach 6:18,27-29
From the inspired words of the Old Testament comes an apt description of Sister Harriet Jackson, a wise woman of the twenty-first century, equally cherished by her family and by the IHM community.
Born February 16, 1926, in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, Harriet was the eldest child in the large family parented by Frederick and Harriet Elva Jackson. During the ensuing years of childhood and adult education, Harriet deepened her religious faith, prepared for professional ministries, and formed friendships that endured a lifetime.
Fulfilling her vocation for religious life, Harriet entered the Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary in 1950. In 1953, with profession of vows she consecrated her life to God and was soon assigned to the ministry of education. For about twenty years, she instructed high school students in business education. Then her talents were needed at the administrative offices of the congregation. Graced since youth with an unhurried, unpretentious manner, she was unrivaled for her efficiency in fulfilling diverse responsibilities. Harriet was competent and prudent—always a wise, resourceful woman.
“. . . if prudence renders service, who in the world is a better craftsman than she?” (Wisdom 8:6)
At ease with silence and prayer, Sister Harriet’s retirement years were consistently a time for prayer, sharing in community life, and rendering service both at the Marian Convent and Our Lady of Peace Residence.
Rooted in God throughout her life, on April 19, 2013 this gentle daughter of the Immaculate Heart of Mary quietly exchanged the tangibles of earth for the promised “See, I make all things new.” Harriet now sees that long-awaited Vision.
by Sister Eleanor Desaulniers, IHM
