On Monday November 8, 2021, Sister Mary Ann Schmitz passed away at SMP Health, St. Catherine North (formerly Rosewood on Broadway) at the age of 93. Sister Mary Ann was born on May 18, 1926 on her family farm near Harvey, ND. She professed Vows of obedience, poverty and consecrated chastity in 1946 with the Sisters of Mary of the Presentation. In 1966 she completed a master’s degree in education. From 1946 to 1963 she taught at elementary and high schools in Willow City, Oakes, and Oakwood, ND. From 1963 to 2003 she served as a teacher and the principal of St. Patrick School in Washington, IL. Sister Mary Ann dedicated herself to serving others, pouring her efforts into being a light for her students. She spoke of her students as being “full of life, energy, and goodness.” In “retirement” she served as a Chaplain to the elderly, bringing comfort and steadfast prayer to all who knew her. Her repeated prayer was to be present in the moment serving God, as she said, “This is God’s show, not ours.”
