Sister M. Susan Joseph died most unexpectedly on Monday, September 25, 2023 in the 37th year of her religious life. Sister died in Paoli Hospital. Sister complained of a severe ache; she underwent surgery on Sunday and was in eternity on Monday. Our Sisters here at Villa Maria House of Studies, our Congregation at large, and the students, faculty, and children of Villa Maria Lower School are in a state of disbelief.
Sister Susan was born on May 18, 1955. Sister’s parents Joseph Michael and Agnes Ann (Pascoe) Porvaznik raised their family in St. Stanislaus Parish in Summit Hill, PA. Susan attended St. Stanislaus Elementary (1961-1969), Marian High School (1969-1973) and East Stroudsburg University (1973-1977). After entering the Congregation, Sister earned her degree in Theology at Immaculata College; her M.Ed. degree from Lehigh University in Educational Leadership; and in 2010 Sister earned her Ed.D. degree in Educational Administration from Immaculata University.
Sister Susan entered the Community on September 14, 1986; she received her religious name, Sister M. Susan Joseph, and her religious habit on August 14, 1987, and pronounced First Vows on August 14, 1989.
In the fall of 1989, Sister Susan was ready for her first assignment, St. Bartholomew Convent/School in East Brunswick NJ where she taught students in grade 7 for 7 years. Sister then spent 1 year at St. Joseph Convent/School in Collingdale where she taught students in grade 7.
In the fall of 1997 through the school year ending 2003, Sister served as Principal at Our Lady of the Valley School in Lansford. In the fall of 2003, Sister taught 8th students at our boys’ academy, St. Aloysius, in Bryn Mawr for 7 years.
In the fall of 2010 Sister served as Vice Principal at Villa Maria Academy in Immaculata; in the fall of 2012, Sister served as Principal at Villa Maria Academy. Wherever Sister served, she served with efficiency, preparedness, dedication, loving kindness, love for her students and love for our/her Congregation. The memory of Sister Susan Joseph’s attributes is her gift to us. Well done good and faithful servant, well done!
Sister M. Susan Joseph is survived by her IHM Community, her brother Joseph M. Porvaznik II, her nephew Michael J. Porvaznik and her niece Candice (Porvaznik) D’Hemecourt. Sister is predeceased by her parents Joseph Michael and Agnes Ann (Pascoe) Porvaznik, her sister Marie Elaine Porvaznik, her brother David Joseph Porvaznik, and her nephew Joseph M. Porvaznik III.
Reverend John Joseph Novielli, O.Praem (Homilist), concelebrated Sister Susan’s Funeral Mass on Monday, October 2, 2023, at 10:30 a.m. with Reverend Richard Antonucci, O.Praem, Reverend Msgr. John McCann, Reverend Louis Bellopede, Reverend Michael Gerlach, and Reverend John Burger, SCC.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to:
Camilla Hall Nursing Home
IHM Mission Advancement Office
230 IHM Drive
Malvern, PA 19355