Sister Joan Marie Thompson, IHM

Sister Joan Marie Thompson, IHM, (formerly known as Sister M. St. Vincent) of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary died on Sunday, June 16, 2024, at Our Lady of Peace Residence in Scranton, PA.

Born July 29, 1938, in Syracuse, NY, Sister Joan Marie was the daughter of the late John and Mildred Connor Thompson. She entered the IHM Congregation on September 7, 1956, made temporary profession of her vows on March 12, 1959, and final profession of her vows on March 12, 1964.  Sister Joan Marie received a Bachelor of Science degree in education, and a Master of Science degree in reading, both from Marywood College.

Sister Joan Marie served as a teacher in the following schools: St. Joseph Elementary School in Renovo, PA, from 1959 to 1963; St. Agnes Elementary School in Baltimore, MD, from 1963 to 1964; St. Ephrem Elementary School in Brooklyn, NY, from 1964 to 1969; St. Patrick Elementary School in Olyphant, PA, from 1969 to 1970; Most Holy Rosary Elementary School in Syracuse, NY, from 1975 to 1980 and 1995 to 1999; Nativity of Our Lord Elementary School in Scranton, PA, from 1980 to 1983; and St. Mary of Mount Carmel Elementary School in Dunmore, PA, from 1983 to 1985.

Sister served as principal at St. Clare Elementary School in Scranton, PA, from 1970 to 1975; and Holy Rosary Elementary School in Scranton, PA, from 1985 to 1995.

She lovingly cared for her aged mother in Syracuse, NY, from 1999 to 2002.

Sister Joan Marie also served as pastoral minister at Nativity of Our Lord Parish in Scranton, PA, from 2002 to 2005; assistant administrator of Our Lady of Grace Center in Manhasset, NY, from 2005 to 2007; administrator of Our Lady of Grace Center in Manhasset, NY, from 2007 to 2008; coordinator of the Everyday English for Adults Program at Nativity of Our Lord Parish in Scranton, PA, from 2008 to 2015; and on the support staff at both the IHM Center and Our Lady of Peace Residence in Scranton, PA, from 2015 to 2022.

From 2022 until the time of her death, Sister Joan Marie was a prayer minister at Our Lady of Peace Residence in Scranton.

She was preceded in death by a brother, John J. Sister Joan Marie is survived by a cousin, Kathleen Fidler of Verona, NY; nieces and nephews; and by the members of the IHM Congregation.

The funeral will be Friday, June 21, 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, June 21, 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.

Reflection

Given by Sister Kieran Williams, IHM

I first lived with Joan Marie at Most Holy Rosary Convent, in Syracuse, NY, while on formative activity. Most Holy Rosary was a large and vibrant community of 18 sisters. Friday nights were so much fun, dancing, eating lots of popcorn and enjoying one another’s company. This was also my first experience of, walking side by side with Sister Pat Schaeffer, IHM, a young sister dying of cancer.  It was the community’s sharing of life, love and prayer with Pat that was so profound.                        

In all things, Joan’s “yes” was clearly evident.  She was willing to go where the greatest need was at the time and would be willing to travel even as far as Peru. She served in many different positions: teacher, principal, administrator, Director of ESL to name only a few.

In all things, Joan was a team player, talented and tremendously supportive.  She was a great mentor to many in formation including Rachel, Trish, Wendy, Amanda, Elvia, Grace, and me.

In all things, Joan shared her deep faith with the people in parishes where she served, especially through Children’s Liturgy.

Joan had a tremendous love for sports and cheered on most passionately Notre Dame and Syracuse.

Joan loved to roller skate and she was great! We were probably the only elementary school who went roller skating seven times a year. Who else could have at age 70 gone to the water park, or at age 75, gone sledding down the hill at the IHM Center on a tray from the kitchen?

Somewhere between 75 and 80 years old, Joan went tubing with the next generation of the Williams’ family around Newton Lake.

In her final transition at Our Lady of Peace, Joan expressed her deepest thoughts to many Sisters, “I’m 85 and have lived a good life; I’m ready to go home to God.”  

God’s time wasn’t always Joan’s time.  June 16, 2024, was Joan’s time.  What a wonderful reunion that must have been for Joan, to gather once again with her dad, mother, and brother. June 16 was Father’s Day and as I celebrated this day with my family at Newton Lake, we remembered Joan with love and gratitude for being a wonderful principal for seven of my brothers and sisters. She was teacher, friend, mentor and our best cheerleader.

Joan, thank you for the memories and for your love, prayers and support. I will always treasure the most sacred moment of your final “YES.” Go in peace, God be with you. Go in peace, be at rest with the saints and the angels. Now you are free. Go in peace.