Flannagan, Anna 'Sister Mary Berchmans' 1863-1929

BERCHMANS, FLANNAGAN

Posted By: Ann Krumme (email)
Date: 12/16/2013 at 18:23:40

Dubuque Telegraph-Herald, May 30 - While the busy joyous preparations for approaching commencement excercises were in progress at St. Vincent academy, the Angel of Death silently visited the place and called the loved Sister Mary Berchmans to her eternal reward Monday afternoon.

Sister Mary Berchmans (Anna Flannagan) was born at Waukon, Iowa, May 1, 1863 and for forty years was a faithful and devoted member of the Presentation Order of Dubuque. Old students of the academy will learn with sorrow of Sister Mary Berchmans death. Pupils have come and gone during the past twenty years better and happier for knowing her and having witnessed the faithful devotedness of a true religious living the lowly hidden life of an ideal Presentation nun.

Funeral services for Sister Mary Berchmans were held at Mt. Loretto on Wednesday morning. Solemn requiem high mass was celebrated by Rev. J. Howell, chaplain of Mt. Loretto, assisted by Rev. J. J. Hanley of St. Patrick’s church, as deacon and Rev. George Schulte, Columbia college, as sub-deacon. There were also present in the sanctuary Rev. J. J. O’Brien and Rev. Joseph Dunn of St. Columbkill’s church, Rev. P. O’Malley of St. Anthony’s church; Rev. D. O’Sullivan, Waukon; Rev. P. J. Coffey, Farley; Rev. John Hawley, Carroll; Rev. J. M. O’Donnell, Otto Creek, and Rev. E. J. Kelley of Columbia college.

Sister Mary Berchmans is survived by three brothers: Thomas, Waukon; David, Pine Island, Minn., and John, Decorah. The latter two were at the funeral.

~Allamakee Journal & Lansing Mirror, June 5, 1929