Sister Anna Marie Kane, SSJ, 82

Sister Anna Marie Kane (formerly Sister Christina James), 82, beloved member of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield, died at Bethany Health Care Center in Framingham on April 29. Born in Worcester, she was the daughter of Walter J. and Elsa C. (Carlson) Kane.
    Sister Anna Marie entered the Sisters of St. Joseph from St. Philip Parish, Grafton, in 1959. She graduated from the Academy of Notre Dame in Tyngsboro. She earned a bachelor’s degree from the College of Our Lady of the Elms in Chicopee, a master’s degree in chemistry from College of the Holy Cross  in Worcester, a master’s in chemistry education from Simmons College in Boston and a master’s in Christian spirituality from Creighton University, Omaha. She earned both a doctorate in philosophy of religion in society, and  in church leadership from the Oxford Graduate School at the American Institute of Ministry in Dayton, Tennessee.
    Sister Anna taught in schools in Springfield, Milford and Newport, Rhode Island before serving as a chaplain and chemistry instructor at Holy Cross. She spent nine years as diocesan vicar of religious and director of the office of women religious in Worcester, and 10 years in the office of ministerial resources at Mont Marie. She also served as director of family life volunteers, a ministry of the Little Sisters of the Assumption in Worcester and was chaplain and bereavement coordinator for Brookhaven Hospice in Framingham.
    In addition to her Sisters in community, Sister Anna leaves her brother James Kane and her dear friend Sister Irene Mizula. We extend heartfelt gratitude to the staff at Bethany Health Care Center for the compassionate care given to Sister Anna during these past few months.
    Services for Sister Anna Marie will take place at Blessed Sacrament Church in Holyoke on Tuesday, May 3. Sister will be waked from 9 to 9:45 a.m. with a prayer service at 9:15. The Liturgy of Christian Burial will follow at 10 a.m. Burial will be in Mont Marie Cemetery in Holyoke.
    Memorial contributions may be made to the Sisters of St. Joseph, 577 Carew St., Springfield, MA 01104.
    Arrangements entrusted to the Sampson Family Chapels.