Sister Joan Bastress, IHM

Sister Joan Bastress, IHM, (formerly Sister Therese Joseph of the Sorrowful Mother, OCD) of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary died on Friday, July 3, 2026, at Our Lady of Peace Residence in Scranton, PA.

Born on April 22, 1934, in Baltimore, MD, and given the name Joan Marie, Sister Joan was the daughter of the late Arthur and Frances Sellman Bastress. She entered the Order of the Discalced Carmelites in Brooklyn, NY, on October 19, 1952, made temporary profession of her vows on July 12, 1954, and final profession of her vows on June 10, 1957. She joined the IHM Congregation in Scranton, PA on June 19, 1975. Sister Joan received a Bachelor of Arts degree in religious studies from Marywood College, and a Master of Arts degree in systematic theology from St. Bonaventure University.

Sister Joan served as director of religious education and pastoral associate at the following: St. Rocco Parish in Pittston, PA, from 1976 to 1978; St. Clare Parish in Scranton, PA, from 1978 to 1980; Most Holy Rosary Elementary School in Syracuse, NY, from 1980 to 1983; St. John Parish in Frederick, MD, from 1983 to 1989; St. John the Evangelist Parish in Columbia, MD, from 1989 to 1992; Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish in Baltimore, MD, from 1992 to 1994; St. Jerome Parish in Baltimore, MD, from 1994 to 1998; St. Joseph Parish in Sykesville, MD, from 1998 to 2001; and St. Charles Parish in Pikesville, MD, from 2001 to 2003.

Sister Joan also served as administrator of pastoral services at the School Sisters of Notre Dame Motherhouse in Baltimore, MD, from 2004 to 2006; pastoral aide at Good Samaritan Hospital in Baltimore, MD, from 2006 to 2007; volunteer at Stella Maris Hospice in Towson, MD, from 2006 to 2007; pastoral minister at Good Samaritan Nursing Center in Baltimore, MD, from 2008 to 2017; and support service staff member at Our Lady of Peace Residence in Scranton, from 2017 to 2025.

From 2025 until the time of her death, Sister Joan was a prayer minister at Our Lady of Peace Residence in Scranton.

She was preceded in death by two brothers, Monsignor Arthur of the Archdiocese of Baltimore and John (Jack). Sister Joan is survived by two brothers, Paul of Westminster, MD, and Robert of Sykesville, MD, and their families. She is also survived by the members of the IHM Congregation

The funeral will be Friday, July 10, at 11:00 a.m. with Mass of Christian Burial at Our Lady of Peace Residence, 1510 University Avenue in Dunmore, PA. Friends may call at Our Lady of Peace Residence on Friday, July 10, between 9:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. A prayer service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Interment will follow Mass on Friday at St. Catherine’s Cemetery in Moscow, PA.

Prayer and Funeral