Obituary of Maryann Palko

PALKO – Sister Maryann, of the Carmelite Community of the Word, died January 4, 2016 at Garvey Manor, Hollidaysburg. She was 68. Born January 15, 1947 in Altoona, the daughter of the late Joseph A. Sr., and Genevieve (Melnick) Palko. She entered the Sisters of Saint Ann on September 8, 1964 and made temporary profession of vows on August 15, 1967. She took private vows with the Carmelite Community of the Word in July 1971 and final profession of vows on July 20, 1974. Sister Maryann retired as supervisory chaplain at the Federal Correctional Institution at Loretto with 20 years of service in September 2009. After her retirement she had worked in the Pastoral Care Department of UPMC Altoona. She also served as Director of Religious Education at St. Joseph’s Parish in Portage. Prior to Loretto, she served at the state correctional institutions at Huntingdon and Smithfield. Sister Maryann began her ministries as a teacher and guidance counselor at Bishop Carrol High School, Ebensburg. She had a Master of Arts in Pastoral Ministry and a Bachelor of Arts from St. Francis University, Loretto. She faithfully participated in the Haiti Ministry of the CCW until her health failed. She is a friend of the Little Sisters of the Incarnation of Port au Prince, Haiti. She is survived by the members of the Carmelite Community of the Word; a brother Joseph A. Jr., and his wife Charlotte, North Carolina; a sister, Veronica and her husband Albert Kish, Pittsburgh, and sister-in-law Anna Palko, Pittsburgh. Also 11 nieces and nephews and 6 great nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her community sister, Sr. Mary Gainino, CCW (2003), and brothers: Paul J. Sr., (1997) and Father John J. (2005). Friends will be received from 2-8 p.m. Wednesday at the Carmelite Community Motherhouse, Incarnation Center, 394 Bem Road, Gallitzin, Pa. Funeral Mass will be held at the Basilica of St. Michael the Archangel, Loretto on Thursday at 10:00 a.m., the Rev. John D. Byrnes, VF, celebrant and Bishop Emeritus Joseph V. Adamec, presiding. In lieu of flowers, donations in Sr. Maryann’s memory may be made to the Carmelite Community of the Word, Hands and Heart Haiti Mission. Arrangements are in the care of the Askew-Houser Funeral Homes, Inc., Ebensburg.