Sister M. Sylvia Pavlochin, O.S.F.

Sister M. Sylvia Anna Pavlochin, 90, a member of the School Sisters of St. Francis, United States Province for 65 years, died from a heart condition, on Friday, July 29 at Lehigh Valley Hospital - Muhlenberg in Bethlehem, PA.

Sister Sylvia entered the community from Assumption BVM Parish in Northampton PA in 1943 and professed her first vows in 1946 in Mount Assisi Convent Chapel in Pittsburgh, PA. She received a Bachelor of Science in Education degree from Seton Hall University in New Jersey.

Throughout her years of ministry, Sister Sylvia taught kindergarten through eighth grade in many of the parish schools where our sisters ministered. She taught in the states of Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Massachusetts. She was the Vice-Principal in New Milford NJ for two years. Sister Sylvia often assisted with preparing the altars for the liturgies in the parish churches and was the sacristan at Monocacy in Bethlehem, PA for four years. She also taught Religious Education in parishes in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. After forty-two years of teaching Sister Sylvia spent eight years in Parish Ministry and visiting the elderly in Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Pennsylvania. In 2004, she began her ministry of prayer and community service when she moved to Monocacy in Bethlehem, PA where she lived out the remaining years of her life.

Sister Sylvia was the daughter of the late John George and Elizabeth Lelko Pavlochin . She was preceded in death by her sister, Margaret Heist and her step sister Mary. She is survived by her religious community, four nephews, one niece, three great nephews, seven great nieces, three great great nephews and two great great nieces.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Connell Funeral Home, Bethlehem, PA.

A visitation will be held from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Monday, August 1, and from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, August 2 followed by the Mass of Christian Burial celebrated in Immaculate Heart of Mary Chapel all at Monocacy Manor 395 Bridle Path Rd. Bethlehem, PA 18017.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Sisters of St. Francis Retirement Fund.