Sister Ann Hughes, IHM
Sister Ann Hughes, IHM, (formerly known as M. St. Walter) of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary died on Thursday, November 23, 2006 at Marian Community Hospital in Carbondale, Pennsylvania.
She was born on April 23, 1934 in Kingston, Pennsylvania, and was the daughter of the late Walter and Mary Farrington Hughes. She entered the IHM Congregation on September 8, 1952, made temporary profession of her vows on August 3, 1955, and final profession of her vows on August 3, 1958.
Sister Ann served as a teacher at the following schools: St. Ann Elementary School in Devon, CT, from 1955 to 1958; Holy Rosary Elementary School in Scranton, from 1958 to 1961; St. Dominic Elementary School in Oyster Bay, NY, from January 1961 to June 1961; St. Mary Elementary School in Avoca, from 1961 to 1968; Little Flower Elementary School in Bethesda, MD, from 1968 to 1970; St. John the Baptist Elementary School in Pittsburgh, from 1970 to 1972; St. Mary of the Assumption Elementary School in Upper Marlboro, MD, from 1972 to 1976 and 1987 to 1992; St. Mary Elementary School in Manhasset, NY, from 1976 to 1981; at St. Peter of Alcantara Elementary School in Port Washington, NY, from 1981 to 1987.
Sister also served as an office assistant at St. Agnes Elementary School in Baltimore, MD, from 1992 to 1994; and pastoral minister at Little Flower Parish in Bethesda, MD, from 1994 to 2000.
From 2000 to the time of her death, Sister Ann served as a prayer minister at the Marian Convent, and Our Lady of Peace Residence, both in Scranton, PA.
She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in elementary education and a Master of Science degree in elementary education, both from Marywood College.
She is preceded in death by a brother, Walter, and three sisters, Elizabeth Mehm, Marian Warner and Marita Comesky.
She is survived by nieces and nephews.
The funeral will be Tuesday, November 28 with Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 a.m. at Our Lady of Peace Residence, 2300 Adams Ave., followed by interment at St. Catherine’s Cemetery, Moscow. Friends may call at the Our Lady of Peace Residence on Monday, November 27 from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m.
Memorial contributions may be made to support the retired IHM Sisters c/o the IHM Sisters Retirement Fund, IHM Center, 2300 Adams Avenue, Scranton, PA 18509.
Reprinted from "In Memoriam" section of Journey, Spring 2007 issue
My recollection of Sr. Ann begin at St. Ignatius in Kingston when she was a seventh grade student and I was teaching kindergarten. She loved to help me in my classroom and in St. Ann’s chapel. She was a generous young woman and a pleasure to have around.
When I was transferred to Bellefonte she and her friends would travel there to visit me. She remained close to me and the sisters during her high school years. I was not surprised when she informed me that she wanted to enter our community.
She entered in 1952 after her graduation from high school. She loved her life of being a religious. Over the years she became a loyal and precious friend to many of our sisters.
Sr. Ann loved the years she spent in Bethesda, Upper Marlboro and Baltimore. One of her dear friends was Fran Summers. She often remarked how kind and generous Fran had been to her.
Ten years ago Sr. Ann and I made a trip to Ireland fulfilling a desire we both had had for a long time. We had a wonderful time together.
In later years, Sister found it difficult to give up teaching and to move to the Marian Convent. She had many difficulties, but she had a lot of encouragement from her friends.
Sr. Ann was a gracious, loving person, always ready to give affirmation and praise. Her family members have been loving and generous to her. And all who’ve loved her will miss her very much.
Eternal rest grant unto her soul; may she rest in peace!
by Sr. Margaret Loftus, IHM
