Sister Annamae ND 4945 PDF Download
(formerly Sister Mary Denismarie)
Anna Mae MURPHY
Immaculate Conception Province, USA
Date and Place of Birth: May 9, 1936 Cleveland, Ohio
Date and Place of Profession: August 16, 1956 Cleveland, Ohio
Date and Place of Death: September 24, 2020 Health Care Center, Chardon, Ohio
Date and Place of Burial: September 29, 2020 Resurrection Cemetery, Chardon, Ohio
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Anna Mae was the fourth child and only daughter of Denis and Margaret (Kelly) Murphy, immigrants from Ireland who met in Cleveland and married in 1928. The family belonged to St. Thomas Aquinas Parish on Cleveland’s “Catholic Corner,” just across the street from Notre Dame Academy on Ansel Road. Anna Mae was always proud of and appreciated her Irish heritage – it was an integral part of her life. Family times together, along with involvement in the interests and activities of her three older brothers, shaped and nourished her early years. After graduation from the parish elementary school, Anna Mae entered Notre Dame Academy and met the Sisters of Notre Dame. She reflected, “It was the prayerfulness and the warmth of these sisters that attracted me to consider a religious vocation.” Anna Mae became a postulant on February 2, 1954, and at investment received the name Sister Mary Denismarie.
Sister received a bachelor’s degree from St. John College in Cleveland and a master’s degree from John Carroll University in University Heights, Ohio. Sister Annamae was outstanding in her leadership and dedicated service to Catholic education for almost sixty years. After teaching in elementary schools for twelve years, Sister ministered as principal for the next thirty-three years at schools in Ohio, Virginia and Washington, DC. Organization was a major strength. Her personal and professional high standards motivated teachers and students to do their best. She was genuinely interested in each child, appreciating and responding to their strengths and challenges. Sister Annamae strove to create a faith-filled environment all around her where each person, no matter the age, could grow and thrive. Through the years, she enjoyed traveling and attending conventions to become more aware of new movements in education.
In 2003, when Sister retired from active school administration at St. Peter School in Lorain, she continued to be involved with the needs of the school, the parish and the greater civic community. The duties she assumed and the gifts she offered were extensive and wide-ranging – welcomed and valued by all. Sister maintained her Irish wit and good sense of humor. She cheered on favorite sports teams with great enthusiasm. Her Notre Dame community was a treasured part of Sister Annamae’s life. She was always interested in events and in the sisters, their lives and their ministries.
In 2019 Sister experienced a steady decline in health which necessitated a move to the province Health Care Center where she could receive the assistance she needed. She participated in activities and interacted with the sisters and staff as she was able. Sister loved visits with friends, was grateful for all who ministered to her and remained faithful to her call to love. May Sister Annamae, who dedicated her whole life to enriching and supporting the lives of others, rejoice in the fullness of life with our good and loving God.
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