Sister Maria Annilla

Sister  Maria  Annilla           ND 5601               PDF Download
Anni Abeck

Maria Regina Province, Coesfeld, Germany

Date and Place of Birth:                February 10, 1936        Sassenberg, County Warendorf
Date and Place of Profession:     April 18, 1960                Coesfeld
Date and Place of Death:              April 26, 2016                Coesfeld, Kloster Annenthal
Date and Place of Funeral:           April 29, 2016                Coesfeld, Convent Cemetery

I say to the Lord, “Thou art my Lord; I have no good apart from thee”.

Sr. M. Annilla, Anni Abeck, was born in Sassenberg, County Warendorf. In her parental home she grew up with 2 brothers and 2 sisters. The last years of her childhood were marked by the serious disease of her mother, who died in 1950.

After completing the catholic basic primary and secondary school, sister worked for four years in a household and after that, from 1955 – 1956, she became an apprentice chef with our sisters at Vinzenzwerk in Münster-Handorf.

Sr. M. Annilla realized that God called her to religious life. In 1957, she asked for admission to the congregation of the Sisters of Notre Dame in Coesfeld.

After her religious formation, sister ministered in various houses of our congregation, especially in housekeeping, in the refectory of the sisters, in the kitchenette of the infirmary, in the garden.

Sr. M. Annilla did all her tasks in and for the community with great loyalty, commitment and faithfulness. Nothing was too much for her.

Sr. M. Annilla enjoyed contact with other people – within the community as well as with neighbors and other people whom she met.

She was always interested in religious, political and medical topics.

In October 2010, Sr. M. Annilla suffered a severe stroke, which changed her active life entirely.

She became completely dependent on help. This help was given with great love, dedication and understanding. Sisters and nurses lovingly accompanied her on her long way of suffering. Her co-sisters visited her every day. So she could feel safe.

We, the sisters, as well as our collaborators were very impressed by the attitude with which Sr. Maria Annilla bore her serious disease. She never complained. She was content and grateful. Without talking she showed us that life to the full is possible even when you are seriously ill, if only you believe in the guidance of the Lord.

Now Sister Maria Annilla lives in the contemplation of the Lord and she can say,

“Thou art my Lord; I have no good apart from thee”.