(Sr. M. Mark Lawrence)
Born: 7 June 1941
First Profession: 7 March 1962
Deceased: 7 December 2025.
If each one of us closed our eyes for a moment and thought of just one word that we’d connect to Sister Mary Anne, for many of us that word would be “MUSIC”.
When Sister Mary Anne began her SMSM journey 66 years ago, she brought to us the gift of music. Through the years her music helped us to celebrate, to mourn and to remember. Her music helped us to Pray. She even, at one point, incorporated liturgical dance into our liturgical celebrations. Sr. Patricia Phillips also joined her in that expression of Divine praise. Sister Mary Anne’s music ministry took on many expressions over the years.
Through the years, Sister Mary Anne also set out on mission to many different places that included:
- Education and pastoral ministry in Peru;
- Hispanic pastoral ministry in Waltham and New Hampshire;
- Assisting Senior Citizens to get affordable housing through the Organization, “WATCH” based in Waltham;
- In Rwanda, Africa, Sister Mary Anne worked at the Marist Brothers Teachers Training Center and also worked for the physically handicapped through a High School run by the Brothers of Charity;
- In Boston, she worked both at the Marist Fathers Parish on Isabella St. and in the Jesuit Volunteer Program for Ignatian Retreats for Homeless people.
Sister Mary Anne’s life of service also extended to our own SMSM. She served as both a Provincial Councilor and on the General Council.
She was also a community coordinator and liaison for the SMSM living at Marillac Residence.
Sister Mary Anne had the heart of a Musician. She had the hands for Service and the spirit of a
Seeker. While in the Generalate in Rome, she convinced the Council to use the expertise of an Italian woman (Eleanor Masini) who was a “Futurist”.
Sister Mary Anne often walked her SMSM journey listening to “another drum beat”. She was interested in a wide variety of topics. She loved gardening and would share the produce from it with the community.
During those terrible months of the Pandemic, it was Sister Mary Anne who would courageously venture out to pick up medicines and other items for her Sisters at 62 Newton St. Community.
Finally, because of her physical decline, she moved to the VNA Facility in Sommerville. On Thanksgiving Day, despite much physical pain, Sister Mary Anne came to share the holiday with her Sisters at 62 Newton St. community.
Her life of creating beautiful music for God, her life of so many forms of service to others and her life of seeking what was beyond the horizon truly formed a beautiful Symphony.
Peace and social justice were the passions that shaped her life, her ministry, and her presence among all who knew her. Sr. Mary Anne will be remembered for her steadfast faith, her generous spirit and her lifelong commitment to those most in need.
Sister Mary Anne, receive now our Love and Gratitude.
Gratefully in Mary,
Sister Helen Muller, smsm & Sister Susan Scherkenbach, smsm.
