of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus, Mary and Joseph
(Ladislas [Laura] Izbrand)
April 11, 1907 – May 5, 2005
Saint Joseph Province
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
“The life of the most Blessed Virgin and that of St. Joseph centered about Jesus. In our little Nazareth Jesus should be the beginning and the end of our lives.” (Blessed Mary of Jesus the Good Shepherd).
Born in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania on April, 1907, Laura was one of eight children of Julius and Maryann (Sztolkowski) Izbrand. She was baptized at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church on Apri114, 1907. Though baptized Ladislas, the feminine of Ladislaus among the Polish people, she preferred being called “Laura.”
She completed her elementary education at Penn Elementary School and completed her high school studies through Mount Nazareth Academy in 1932.
Laura entered the Congregation of the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth from Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish on August 15, 1923, receiving her postulant veil from Mother Regina Wentowska. On August 15, 1924, she entered the novitiate in Des Plaines, Illinois, receiving the name “Mary Justa.” She made her first profession of vows on December 28, 1926 in Des Plaines and her final profession on August 15, 1933 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. At the time of her final profession she added the mystery “of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus, Mary and Joseph” to her religious name.
Like many in those early years of the Congregation, Sister Justa pursued her studies, while teaching children. She received a bachelor degree in education from Mercyhurst College in Erie, Pennsylvania in 1945. “My great love for children inspired me to give my best with the help of God to the teaching ministry for 62 years.” From 1926 to 1987 sister taught mainly grades two through six in the various cities of Saint Joseph Province: Pittsburgh, Mount Union, Coraopolis and Erie, Pennsylvania; Cleveland and Newton Falls, Ohio; and Detroit, Dearborn and Allen Park, Michigan. In her later years, from 1978 to 1987 Sister Justa continued in her ministry of education working at Mount Nazareth Learning Center in Pittsburgh
In her latter years, family ministry to her older and dependent sister, Mary, became paramount in her life. When Clara, the caregiver of this sister died in 1977, Sister Justa entered into this unexpected role in her family: caring for Mary. Sr. Justa struggled in this new role dealing with family finances, placement of her sister in a variety of eldercare institutions and tending to her sister in Mary’s last days. Though difficult, she assumed this role with great diligence and a sense of family duty until 1983 when Mary died.
Sister Justa began her retirement in 1987 living at the provincialate, saying “Now, during my retirement years I have more time to spend with my Spouse, Jesus Christ and go to our Manor to feed the sick Sisters who cannot feed themselves, to bring joy and happiness to them and to lend a listening ear to each one.” Sister Justa continued in this ministry for six years, until in 1996, Sister Justa, herself, moved to Holy Family Manor. During these later years, she spent many hours in prayer in the chapel and in her room. “I spend my time mostly with Jesus, just like Mary did.”
Sister celebrated her 75th anniversary of religious life in 1998 with a family and community celebration at Holy Family Manor.
In a surprising turn of events, Sister Justa suffered a serious fracture in 2002 that required specialized care at the Reformed Presbyterian Home. During her own recuperation, she became involved in helping and supporting other patients while she was there. A mutual friendship developed between the young chaplain of the home, Ed Verbeke. Even when she returned home, he visited her or sent flowers and was present to her at Holy Family Manor often keeping vigil with her in prayer during these final months.
Throughout her life, but particularly in her later years, Sister Justa’s health fluctuated even to being near death on many occasions. In April and May 2005, her health declined and she did not rally. On May 5, 2005, Sister Justa quietly went to the Lord in the 82nd year of her religious life. A wake service was held in the Holy Family Manor chapel in Pittsburgh on May 6, 2005.
Reverend David Moczulski, OFM, and a gathering of family, friends and her Sisters in community celebrated her funeral liturgy on May 6, 2005. She was buried in Saint Joseph Cemetery on the provincialate grounds immediately after the service.
Eternal rest grant to her, O Lord!
Digitized by S. Brendan O'Brien, CSFN
Instructor
School of Arts & Sciences
History Department
Holy Family University
9801 Frankford Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19114
215-637-7700 x3279
srbrendan@holyfamily.edu
http://web3.holyfamily.edu/srbrendan
Last updated: February 2006