Sister Julia Jacko

July 19, 1920 - December 11, 2018

Born in McKees Rocks, Pa., Sister Julia entered our community in 1935 from St. Mark Parish. Along with her sisters Frances and Cecilia, Sister Julia was the first of three of Jacob and Mary Jacko’s 15 children to enter religious life. She graduated from Mount Assisi Academy in Pittsburgh, Pa., and upon entering our congregation, received the name of Sister Ernestine. She professed first vows in 1938 and final vows in 1944.

With a degree from Mount Mercy College (now Carlow University), Sister taught for 32 years at elementary schools in the Pennsylvania towns of Canonsburg, Charleroi, Ellsworth, Emmaus, Erie, Farrell, New Castle, Pittsburgh and Tarentum, as well as in Jersey City, N.J.

In 1974, she began three years in parish ministry in Ambridge, Pa., and went on to an eight-year ministry with the elderly. She regarded this time as the highlight of her ministry work. Sister also assisted Sisters Frances and Cecilia with the ceramics program at Mount Assisi. The last nine of her 98 years were spent in the ministry of prayer.

Sister Frances was her constant companion. The pair socialized with sisters and staff, worked in the ceramics room and sipped hot chocolate in the dining room. She also enjoyed playing cards, eating chocolate and doing needle work.

Sister Julia is remembered as quiet, gentle and private. She was a prayerful person who constantly had her Rosary in hand and prayed it throughout the day. Sister did not hesitate to express gratitude and always had a smile to share.

“Well done, Sister Julia,” one family member wrote. “Enter into the heavenly feast you’ve waited for your whole earthly life!”

Sister Julia is buried alongside Sister Francis Jacko in St. Francis Cemetery at Mt. Assisi Place in Pittsburgh, Pa.