Palka, Sister Laura O.S.B.M.
JENKINTOWN, Pa. — Sister Laura (Lillian) Palka, O.S.B.M., left her earthly home at the age of 93 on January 21, 2023. Sister had been in poor health after p·oq i±±³ · m± · few weeks prior.
Born on April 14, 1929, in Cohoes, Lillian Mary Palka was a daughter of the late Michael and Anna (Pawelczak) Palka. Her family were members of Sts. Peter & Paul Ukrainian Catholic Church in Cohoes where her baptism and chrismation 6µä·o5 m l·µ±c Sister Laura entered the Basilian convent on August <=2 =ó:ó2 ·³ m p± ä·l vows on August 26, 1954. She attended Potsdam State Teachers College in Potsdam, N.Y., and earned her B.A. in music education at Immaculata College in Immaculata, Pa. She did additional graduate work at the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Ind., Depaul University in Chicago, Villanova University in Villanova, Pa., and Manor College in Jenkintown, Pa. Sister Laura taught at St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic School in Chicago, Sts. Peter & Paul Ukrainian Catholic School in Cohoes, St. Basil Academy in Jenkintown, Pa., and Manor College. She also was a summer catechist in Terryville, Conn., Elmira Heights, N.Y., and Hamtramck, Mich.
Sister was Provincial Superior from 2005 to 2010 and served as Provincial Councilor and House Superior from 1995 to 2005. Sister also served on the Board of Trustees for Manor College and St. Basil Academy. She was the director of Basilian Associates and Director of Renewal.
One cannot memorialize Sister without recounting p± ·5 ·l± o p± ä±l³ of musical composition, performance and directing. Most worthy of mention is her cantata on excerpts from Bohdan Lepki’s poem, “In the Cathedral of St. George,” and her Christmas prayer, “A Child was Born.” This was enjoyed by hundreds, as Sister trained and directed a choir of sisters from Holy Trinity Province in Ukraine and her own Province, Jesus, Lover of Humanity Province, resulting in a music tour to Chicago, Parma, Ohio, Pittsburgh, Pa., Stamford, Conn., and Philadelphia. Sister’s sensitive personality drew many to her as a teacher, assistant director of novices, member of the Provinces’ Renewal Team, and simply as a friend. As Sister composed, directed and sang music on earth, now in heaven Sister continues to sing the praises of God. Music was Sister’s life!
Sister Laura is survived by her sister, Joyce Vellutino; brother-in-law, Frank Vellutino; niece, Anne (Charlie) Ellis; grandnephew, Michael (Katherine) Dantz; great-grandniece, Katherine Lillian Dantz; and great-grandnephew, Lucas Steven Dantz. She was predeceased by a nephew, Michael Francis Vellutino.
Sister Laura’s funeral will held on Saturday, January 28, 2023, at her convent’s chapel, with burial to follow in the convent’s cemetery.
Memorial contributions can be made to Sister’s convent: Sisters of the Order of St. Basil the Great, Jesus, Lover of Humanity Province, 710 Fox Chase Road, Jenkintown, PA, 19046-4198. Online: https://stbasils.com and select “Support.”