Sister M. Martin Pavelko, OSF
december 12, 1941 - march 1, 2004
On March 1, 2004, Sister Martin Pavelko went home to her God after a five-month illness. Her mother and brother and her Sisters in community mourned her leaving, but knew deep within that she was now free of her suffering.
Rose Ann Pavelko was born in Bethlehem, Pa., to John and Anne Rose (Kovacs) Pavelko. Her father was a steelworker, and her mother worked in a dress factory. She was baptized Rose Ann at SS. Cyril & Methodius Church in Bethlehem on December 21, 1941, the same church where she received the Sacraments of Eucharist and Confirmation.
Rose Ann was taught by our Sisters at SS. Cyril & Methodious Grade School in Bethlehem. She entered the aspirancy at Mount Assisi Convent in Pittsburgh, Pa., in 1955 and completed her high school education at Mount Assisi Academy. She went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Holy Family College in Philadelphia in 1976.
On August 7, 1958, Rose Ann was received into the novitiate and received the name Martin, after the Little Flower of Jesus whom she revered. Her first profession of vows followed on August 8, 1959, and perpetual wows on August 3, 1954 in Mount Assisi Chapel.
Sister Martin taught the primary grades at St. John Nepomucene in Guttenberg, N.J.; SS. Cyril & Methodious in Clifton, N.J.; Assumption of the Blessed Virgin, in Jersey City, N.J.; St. Ignatius of Loyola in West Lawn, Pa.; Assumption of the Blessed Virgin in Northampton, Pa.; St. Ann in Emmaus, Pa.; SS. Cyril & Methodious, in Boonton, N.J.; St. Gabriel in Stowe, Pa.; St. Theresa in Hellertown, Pa.; St. John Neumann in Palmerton, Pa.; and SS. Cyril & Methodious in Bethlehem.
In 1990, Sister Martin began teaching part time, mostly small group instruction, because she was needed to help care for her ailing father. She also substituted on occasion at local parish schools. In 1997, she came to Monocacy Manor in Bethlehem, Pa., where she served as a driver, taking the elderly Sisters to their doctor appointments. After the death of her father, she cared for her mother, who was legally blind.
Sister Martin became very well known in South Side Bethlehem, Pa., for her compassion and willingness to help those in need, especially the elderly. She was always ready to help anyone she met. The many people that attended her funeral were testimony to Sister Martin’s life of service and her outgoing personality. She tried to be a kind and gentle witness to the Gospel for everyone she met. Besides her devotion to the Little Flower of Jesus, Sister Martin had great devotion to the Eucharist. On the days when there was no Mass at the Motherhouse, she made a point to attend Eucharist at a nearby parish church.
In October 2003, Sister was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor and given only six months to live. She endured hospitalizations, rehabilitation attempts, radiation treatments and so much more with patience and good humor, always hopeful that one day she would be well again. She went home to her God on March 1, 2004, leaving behind her mother and her brother, Paul. She was 63.
Sister Martin is buried in St. Francis Cemetery at Monocacy Manor in Bethlehem, Pa.
