St. Mary of the Woods, IN - ST. MARY-OF-THE-WOODS - Sister Ann Paula Pohlman, age 90, of St. Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana, died June 2, 2026, at Union Hospital, Terre Haute, IN.

She was born on Aug. 12, 1935 in Indianapolis, IN, to Richard and Louise Hansman Pohlman and was baptized Marie Louise.

Sister entered the Congregation of the Sisters of Providence on Jan. 6, 1953 and professed Final Vows Aug, 15, 1960. She earned a bachelor's degree from St. Mary-of-the-Woods College and master's degrees from Ball State University and Seattle University.

Of her 73 years as a Sister of Providence, she ministered in schools for 37 years in Massachusetts, Illinois, New Hampshire, Indiana and Florida. She served as principal for ten of those years. Retiring from teaching, she was an activity director for a residence in Bradenton, Florida and then director of development for Project Light, also in Bradenton, a nonprofit that taught English to adults and helped them move toward citizenship. Retiring from this position in 2004, she remained in Florida, volunteering through Catholic Charities in multiple capacities. In 2015, she returned to the Motherhouse where she was part of the Activities Team. In 2023, she focused totally on the ministry of prayer.

Sister was well remembered for her great love of the water and especially for swimming in the small lake at St. Mary-of-the-Woods for as long as she was able.

Sister Ann Paula is preceded in death by a sister Betty Jean Fentz and a brother Harry Pohlman.

The wake is Monday, June 22, 2026 at 3:30 p.m. in the Church of the Immaculate Conception with the wake service at 4:30 p.m. The wake continues Tuesday, June 23, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. with the Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 a.m., Reverend Terry Johnson presiding. Burial is in the cemetery of the Sisters of Providence. DeBaun Funeral Homes and Crematory assisted with arrangements.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Sisters of Providence, 1 Sisters of Providence, Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, IN 47876.

INDIANA

St, Charles, Peru, 1966-68; St. Catherine, Indianapolis, 1968-77; (teacher/principal) 1971-74; South Central Catholic, Indianapolis, (principal) 1974-76; St. Mary Lafayette, 1976-78, (principal) 1978-83.

MASSACHUSETTS

St. Polycarp, Somerville,1955-56.

ILLINOIS

Maternity BVM, Chicago, 1956-59; St. Mel-Holy Ghost, 1959-60

NEW HAMPSHIRE

Lady Isale, Portsmouth, 1960-66.

FLORIDA

St. Charles Borromeo, Port Charlotte, (teacher) 1983-90; St. Joseph, Bradenton, (teacher) 1990-92; The Oaks, Bradenton, (activity director) 1994-2001; Project Light, Bradenton, (director of development) 2001-04; Catholic Charities, Bradenton, (volunteer) 2005-11; St. Joseph, Bradenton, (tutor) 2012-14.