Sister M. Joanne Wallace (Formerly Sister M. Anne George) died in Camilla Hall on Thursday, April 15, 2021. Sister’s death is not Covid related.
Joanne was born on May 22, 1942. Her parents George and Anne (Prusinowski) Wallace raised their family of three girls in St. Gertrude Parish in Conshohocken. Joanne attended St. Gertrude Elementary School and St. Matthew High School in Conshohocken. Later, while in Community, Sister earned degrees from Immaculata College and St. Charles Seminary.
Joanne graduated from high school in June 1960 and entered our Congregation on July 16, 1960. Joanne received her habit and her religious name, Sister Anne George, on January 16, 1961. Sister professed her First Vows on January 16, 1963. Immediately after professing vows, Sister began her ministry of teaching.
From January 1963 through the school year ending 1994, Sister Anne George taught elementary-aged children in grades 1, 2, and 4. Sister taught in various dioceses. In the Philadelphia area, Sister taught at St. Martin of Tours, St. Catherine, Annunciation, St. John of the Cross, Holy Name, and St. Gabriel. Outside of the Philadelphia area, Sister taught in St. James School in Falls Church, Virginia and Our Lady of Grace School in Somerdale, NJ.
In August 1994, Sister’s service shifted from classroom teaching to Pastoral Ministry. Sister served in different pastoral ministry positions over the next two decades until 2019. Sister was at times the Director of Religious Education; CRE – Coordinator of Religious Instruction in school; Director of Spiritual Activities; and Religious Enrichment in school; and RENEW International Mission, whose purpose was to renew personal faith and a deeper faith life in the parish.
Sister’s pastoral service took her to Our Lady of Grace in Somerdale, NJ; Incarnation in Trenton; Somerville, NJ; Annunciation, Bellmawr; St. Raymond, Villas, NJ; Our Lady of Fatima in Secane, PA; St. Katharine Drexel Center in Chester; and St. Aloysius Academy.
In March 2018 through February 2019, Sister Joanne served our Motherhouse Community. In February 2019 Sister suffered a terrible fall that required healing and recuperation. During this period, Sister’s health declined a little more each day.
Sister Joanne was a sweet, kind, gentle, and generous IHM Sister who went to God on April 15, 2021. May she rest in peace.
In addition to her IHM Community, Sister is survived by her sisters Phyllis (Martinez) and Debbie Wallace, her nephews and niece. Sister is predeceased by her parents George Michael Wallace and Anne Theresa (Prusinowski) Wallace.
Due to Covid-19, Visitation, Funeral Mass, and Interment were private. We celebrated Sister’s Funeral Mass on Wednesday, April 21, 2021. Monsignor Angelo Citino, pastor of SS. Peter/Paul Parish, was the Celebrant and Homilist; Father concelebrated Mass with Reverend George Winne and Reverend Alfred Onyutha.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to:
Camilla Hall Nursing Home
IHM Mission Advancement Office
230 IHM Drive
Malvern, PA 19355