Sister Jacquelin Servick, IHM
February 27, 1932 – December 13, 2020
Sister Jacquelin Servick, IHM, (formerly known as Sister M. Joan of Arc) of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary died on Sunday, December 13, 2020 at Our Lady of Peace Residence in Scranton.
She was born on February 27, 1932, in Coeur d’Alene, ID; and given the name Jacquelin Dolores. She was the daughter of the late George M. and Minnie Esther Toney Servick. She entered the IHM Congregation on September 8, 1949, and made her temporary profession of vows on May 8, 1952, and her final profession of vows on August 2, 1955.
Sister Jacquelin served as a teacher at the following schools: St. Paul Elementary School in Cranston, RI, from 1952 to 1955; St. Edward Elementary School in Twin Falls, ID, from 1955 to 1968; Santisimo Nombre de Jesus Elementary School in Lima, Peru, from 1968 to 1980 and 1983 to 1986; St. Patrick Elementary School in Scranton, PA, from 1980 to 1983; St. Leo Elementary School in Ashley, PA, in 1983; and Nuestra Senora de Lourdes Guaderia/Vespertina in Lima, Peru, from 1986 to 1994.
Sister also served as a pastoral minister in the Hispanic community for the Diocesan Office of Hispanic Ministry in Scranton, PA, from 1995 to 2011.
From 2011 until the time of her death, Sister Jacquelin served as a prayer minister at St. Mary of Mt. Carmel Convent in Dunmore, and at Our Lady of Peace Residence in Scranton.
She received a Bachelor of Science degree in education, and a Master of Arts degree in education from Marywood College.
She is preceded in death by four sisters, Eloise Gordon; Carmen Galbraith; Gwendolyn Sisk; and LuVerne Tacklind; and a brother, George Edward.
She is survived by nieces and nephews; and by the members of the IHM Congregation.
Interment will be at St. Catherine’s Cemetery in Moscow, PA. Due to restrictions related to the coronavirus, the funeral mass and graveside service are private.
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.
Funeral: https://video.ibm.com/recorded/128921761
Combined Vespers Prayer Service: https://video.ibm.com/recorded/129991200
Reprinted from “In Memoriam” section of Journey, Spring 2021 issue
Sister Jacquelin Servick, IHM
Reflection given by Sister Ellen Maroney, IHM Congregation President, at Sister’s funeral on Wednesday, December 16, 2020:
Who is wise and understanding among you?
Let them show it by their good life, by deeds
done in the humility that comes from wisdom.
James 3:13
We gather today with hearts filled with gratitude for the life and goodness of our Sister Jackie. In this sixty-ninth year of her profession, we thank our God for calling her to our IHM congregation and for gracing us, our church, and so many people here in the United States and in Peru with many years of faith-filled and generous service.
Jackie’s life was a textbook illustration of someone wholly dedicated to helping others – as a teacher in elementary schools in Rhode Island, Idaho, Pennsylvania, and Lima, Peru for over forty-three years; as a pastoral minister to the Hispanic community for the diocese of Scranton for sixteen years; and for the past nine years as a prayer minister at St. Mary of Mt. Carmel Convent in Dunmore and here at Our Lady of Peace. In all of these ministries, in fact, at the very core of who she was as a person, Jackie was a selfless giver whose longing for God allowed her to settle deeply into the mystery of God’s unconditional love for all.
Jackie was passionate about helping others, whether in the classroom or accompanying an expectant immigrant mom to the hospital to translate the doctor’s words, or perking up a celebration in the convent by making the most exquisite bows and decorations for the sisters. Joel Marie told me that her nickname for Jackie was “fancy fingers” because she was so talented, and also because she could find a way to fix anything that was broken or needed repair, even without an instruction manual. Yet all was done in a very unassuming, quiet way that sought no attention for herself, only the well-being of others. Her preference for her own feast day dinner was a trip to Coney Island here in Scranton for hot dogs! I’m not sure Jackie had the word
“no” in her vocabulary. She was an avid reader and writer of letters, especially during her time in Peru, and from her writings we can catch an insight into her absolute commitment to helping those most in need to have a better life. We also see examples of her fun-loving, self-effacing spirit as she tells about how during her early days in Peru, her limited Spanish vocabulary got her into trouble more than once when she misused a verb or mispronounced a word that gave it an entirely different meaning.
Jackie’s great happiness, I’m sure, was seeing the joy and success of others. Her words were soft spoken but her resolve was strong, rooted in her commitment to do all in service to others and to God. As pastoral minister to the Hispanic community here in Scranton, she tirelessly assisted countless new immigrant families as an interpreter and friend. She accompanied them to doctor appointments, grocery shopping, school conferences, whatever, just so they would be able to understand and participate in ways that enhanced their own quality of life and dignity. As a beloved mentor and friend, Jackie gave her best, and her kindness, generosity, and peaceful, gentle grace deeply touched those she met. Her gentle and beautiful smile was always there, inviting others into her life, and for sure she is smiling down on all of us today.
Jackie cherished the members of her family. We are grateful today for her parents, Minnie Esther and George, her first teachers who passed on to her a deep faith in God. They no doubt led the great welcome for her in heaven last Wednesday, joined by her four sisters, Eloise, Carmen, Gwendolyn, and Luverne, and her brother, George Edward. What a wonderful reception that surely was for Jackie! We pray today for all who have been touched by her life. We ask God to comfort her nieces and nephews and their families, her IHM sisters, especially the sisters here at OLP and those who shared life and ministry with Jackie in Peru, and all those who were part of her journey here on earth.
A quote by Woodrow Wilson beautifully encapsulates Jackie’s sense of mission and commitment: “You are here in order to enable the world to live more amply, with greater vision, and a finer spirit of hope and achievement. You are here to enrich the world and you impoverish yourself if you forget this errand.” Our world was greatly enriched by Jackie’s spirit and vision of bringing God’s love and hope to all and her fidelity to that mission changed countless lives. She trusted her God throughout her life. We have no doubt that she now enjoys forever the fullness of God’s eternal light and love.
Mary Kay will now place the scriptures on Jackie’s casket, for she heard the Word of God, she staked her life upon it and received life to the full… the Word now beckons her home.
Donate in Sister's memory
Memorial contributions may be made to support the retired Sisters of IHM. Donate online today, or send your donation c/o the Sisters of IHM Retirement Fund, IHM Center, 2300 Adams Avenue, Scranton, PA 18509.