Sister Ann Paula Pohlman

Sister Ann Paula Pohlman passed away on Tuesday, June 2, at Union Hospital. She was 90-years-old and had been a Sister of Providence for 73 years.

Commentary

By Sister Denise Wilkinson, SP

In taking with Sisters of Providence, Ann Paula’s friends, family, health care staff, some version of these sentences always came up:

• Ann Paula loved water,
• Ann Paula had to live close to water,
• Ann Paula used to love swimming in St. Joe’s Lake, and
• Ann Paula’s brother, Rick, built a ladder on the dock at St. Joe’s Lake to make it easier for her to get out of the lake and back on the dock.

Perhaps this love of water was in her very bones. In a genealogy written and researched by Ann Paula and other family members, she gives the meaning of the name “Pohlman” – i.e., a house by a pool. For Ann Paula, the path Providence marked out for her definitely was a path close to water – oceans, lakes, pools, even the bayous in the area of Pensacola, Florida.

It seems to be near water, swimming and floating in water, sitting and gazing at water was part and parcel of Ann Paula’s spirituality, a way she heard the voice of Jesus calling her throughout her life.

Listening to this gospel reading, I know where Ann Paula would be standing. You probably will as well.

A reading from the Gospel of Matthew (13:1-3)

That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat beside the sea. Such great crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat there, while the whole crowd stood on the beach. And Jesus told them many things in parables saying: Listen!

I’m sure Ann Paula would be as close to Jesus as she could be. I bet she’d even be standing not on the beach but in the water – at least up to her knees – all the better to hear Jesus. His call to LISTEN resonated with her throughout her life.

Marie Louise Pohlman, called by her family Mary Lou, was the first of eight children born to Marie Hansman Pohlman and Richard Pohlman.

Ann Paula was a woman of Providence before we ever coined the phrase. She was taught by the Sisters of Providence at St. Philip Neri Grade School. She attended the Apirancy, the high school here at St. Mary’s. It was during her time at the Aspirancy that (in her words) “I envisioned myself living the life of a Sister of Providence.”

In 1953, Ann Paula entered the Congregation; professed perpetual vows in 1960.

She describes her feelings on that day in 1953 when she left her home to come to the Congregation. Remember she was the oldest of eight. “The emotional and geographical distance from my younger brothers and sisters, whom I had helped raise was a tremendous personal sacrifice.”

Ann Paula goes on to say: “However, without knowing it I was standing on the threshold of the Church’s advent into the Modern World. … I embraced the dictates of this (Second Vatican) Council as Religious throughout the world began to peel away the practices that no longer illuminated the essence of religious life.”

Ann Paula eagerly embraced the Congregation’s commitment to on-going education for our members. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree at Indiana State University with a major in education and a minor in music; her Master of Arts at Ball State University. She earned a second MA degree at Seattle University – a Master of Ministry.

Her ministry experiences were varied and well-suited to her personality, values and gifts. They included serving in schools in Massachusetts, Illinois, New Hampshire, Indiana and Florida. Over the years, her ministries included teacher, principal, activities director, fundraiser, and as a volunteer for Catholic Charities.

Certainly, two of her missions must have especially delighted her: Her years at Lady Isle in Portsmouth, New Hampshire and her years in Bradenton, Florida. Water, water everywhere!

Back in landlocked Indianapolis, Ann Paula somehow talked Sister Dorothy Wolsiffer and Sister Elizabeth Myers into a canoe trip. Neither had any experience in canoeing. Nonetheless, they found themselves in one canoe and Ann Paula and a friend in the other. Dorothy and Elizabeth got hung up on some rocks.

In Dorothy’s words, “The river was spinning the canoe around and around. Ann Paula had to get out of her canoe and rescue us. I don’t know how she did it but I’m glad she did.”

For those of us who know Dorothy and Elizabeth, the mental picture of this adventure is particularly amusing. We might even call this an immersion experience for the three of them.

Her experiences in elementary schools brought much joy and many challenges. While principal at St. Catherine’s Grade School in Indianapolis, Ann Paula was part of another rescue effort – one of major significance.

In her words: “I was a member of a team of administrators that did a five-year study that merged five struggling parish schools in the near south side of Indianapolis. This saved Catholic education for this area.”

Ann Paula and the team ensured that the waters of God’s Providence nurtured what was necessary for the education and wellbeing of the children of those parishes. The grade school, Central Catholic, still serves students and their families living on the near south side of Indianapolis.

After 37 years in educational settings, Ann Paula knew it was time for a change. Again, she listened for the call of Providence.

In her words: “I began a search for a ministry where I could use my musical, artistic and educational talents. God’s Providence led me to the care of the elderly in Florida … The same love that I experienced for children for so many years of my life, I now lavish on these dear older folks. … I see in the wrinkled but beautiful countenances people who have weathered the joys and sorrows of life. From them I learn wisdom about life.”

Ann Paula brought that same love for elders when she came home to St. Mary’s to serve as Activity Director here.

Indeed, Ann Paula was a woman of Providence before we coined the phrase. During her 90 years of life and her 73 years as a Sister of Providence, she stood in the water, as close to Jesus as she could get, so she would hear what he said. “Listen” he said. And so, she did. She listened and she responded to call after call – with all her heart. And with a sense of humor.

On the occasion of her band’s Golden Jubilee in 2003, Ann Paula wrote this about her (then) 50 years as a Sister of Providence: “I always remember those moments at the altar when I was saying, forever, mentally adding to that ‘Dear God, I have no idea what this will mean in the future.’ Well, was I ever right about that.”

One morning several years ago, Sister Lisa Stallings received a call from Robin Royce, Director of Nursing at that time. Robin’s opening sentence: “Sister, we’ve had a kidnapping.” Sidekicks in crime Sisters Carolyn Glynn and Ann Paula Pohlman decided their band member, Sister Mary Margaret Quinn, then in Lourdes Hall, would enjoy a swim in the ocean. Telling no one, they absconded with Mary Margaret, drove back to Florida with her. Mary Margaret did enjoy her time in Florida before she was returned safely to Lourdes. Carolyn and Ann Paula never expressed any remorse about the kidnapping.

In her written wishes for the Celebration of her life was this poem Ann Paula composed to be read/prayed as part of her eulogy. Let us listen to her words now.

Mary Louise, Mary Lou, Sister Ann Paula Pohlman, you now dwell in the pool of unfathomable depth and love. You dwell in the very heart of Providence. Thank you for the gift of yourself.

Funeral Information

Funeral services for Sister Ann Paula took place on Monday, June 22, and Tuesday, June 23, at the Church of the Immaculate Conception at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods.

A Wake took place from 3:30-4:30 p.m., on Monday, June 22, with Vesper Services at 4:30 p.m.

An additional Wake was from 10-11 a.m., on Tuesday, June 23. Mass of Christian Burial was at 11 a.m.

Memorial contributions may be made in honor of Sister Ann Paula to the Sisters of Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods.

We welcome you to share your memories of Sister Ann Paula in the comment section below.

Sister Ann Paula Pohlman

Complete Ministry

In Massachusetts: Teacher, St. Polycarp, Somerville (1955-56).

In Illinois: Teacher, Maternity BVM, Chicago (1956-59); Teacher, St. Mel-Holy Ghost, Chicago (1959-60).

In New Hampshire: Teacher, Lady Isle, Portsmouth (1960-66).

In Indiana: Teacher, St. Charles, Peru (1966-68); Teacher, St. Catherine, Indianapolis (1968-71); Teacher/Principal, St. Catherine, Indianapolis (1971-74); Principal, South Central Catholic, Indianapolis (1974-76); Teacher, St. Mary, Lafayette (1976-78); Principal, St. Mary, Lafayette (1978-83); Activities Room Team, Providence Hall, Saint Mary-of-the-Woods (2015-17); Activities, Saint Mary-of-the-Woods (2017-20); Residential Service, Saint Mary-of-the-Woods (2020-23); Prayer, Saint Mary-of-the-Woods (2023-26).

In Florida: Teacher, St. Charles Borromeo, Port Charlotte (1983-90); Teacher, St. Joseph School, Bradenton (1990-92); Activities Coordinator, Sun Coast Manor, Bradenton (1994); Activity Director, The Oaks, Bradenton (1994-2001); Assistant Director of Fundraising, Project Light, Bradenton (2001); Director of Development, Project Light, Bradenton (2001-04); Volunteer, Catholic Charities, De Soto County (2006-09); Volunteer/Prevention of Foreclosures, Catholic Charities, Diocese of Venice (2009-11); Convent Service/Tutor, St. Joseph School, Bradenton (2012-14); Volunteer, One Step Homeless Center, Bradenton (2014-15).