Sister Joanne Pickard, IHM

Sister Joanne Pickard, IHM, (formerly known as Sister M. St. Genevieve) of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, died Wednesday, June 29, 1988, at the Marian Convent in Scranton, PA. She was in the thirty-third year of her religious profession.

She was born on August 28, 1935 in Carbondale, PA, and given the name Jo Ann. She was the daughter of Mary Mack Pickard and the late Joseph M. Pickard. She entered the IHM Congregation on September 8, 1952, received the religious habit on August 3, 1953, and made profession of her vows on August 3, 1955.

Sister Joanne served as a principal at Pocono Central Catholic High School in Cresco, PA.

Sister served as a math teacher and senior moderator at Sacred Heart High School in Carbondale, PA. She was a math teacher at St. Mark’s High School in Wilmington, DE, and Notre Dame High School, East Stroudsburg, PA.

Most recently, Sister Joanne served as the department chairperson and math teacher at Bishop Hoban High School in Wilkes-Barre, PA.

She earned both a Bachelor of Arts degree and a Master of Science degree in mathematics/education, both from Marywood College, and did further study at Fordham University, and Loyola College. She also completed the CERT (Continuing Education for Religious Teachers) program in religious education for the Diocese of Scranton.

She was preceded in death by an aunt in community, Sister Anne Pickard, IHM.

In addition to her mother, Mary Pickard-Sottile of Archbald, PA, she is also survived by her stepfather, Henry Sottile; brother, James Pickard of Archbald, PA; sister, Judy Naniewicz of Montdale, PA; nieces, nephews and an aunt. Also surviving are cousins, including a first cousin in community, Sister Anne Munley, IHM.

The funeral will be Saturday, July 2, at 10:00 a.m. with Mass of Christian Burial at the IHM Center. Interment will be at St. Catherine’s Cemetery in Moscow, PA. Friends may call at the Marian Convent on Friday afternoon or evening.