Sister Mary Ann Loughlin - North Providence

Born in Manhattan, N.Y., Feb. 13, 1929, Sister Mary Ann Loughlin had a variety of working experiences before entering the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary: counselor for children at Divine Providence and Camp St. Helene, receptionist and switchboard operator for a law firm, tutor to grammar school children and volunteer in hospital work. She entered the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary at Fruit Hill, North Providence in September of 1946, pronounced First Vows in March 1949 and her Final Vows in March 1952. In September of 1949, Mary Ann was sent in mission to Kennedy Memorial Hospital, now called Franciscan Hospital for Children, as a group mother. The next several years were spent in academic studies in preparation for her future ministries. Thus, prepared by her studies and experience, Sr. Mary Ann successively held the positions of assistant administrator and administrator at St. Francis Hospital in Roslyn, from 1958-1970.

From August 1970, she worked with the Central Information Service in Rome “an unforgettable” period of her religious life. There she became more acutely aware of the international character of the Institute. She had a brief but extensive trip through missions in India and also had the privilege of working as the coordinator of communications for the General Chapter of the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary. In 1973, she returned to the United States and assisted in the preparation of the Provincial Chapter of 1974. She worked on a special assignment planning for the care of sick and elderly sisters.

She was sent in mission to Kennedy Memorial Hospital in 1975 where she served as the administrator. After this service, she was appointed as the provincial treasurer of the U.S. province and also served as a provincial councilor. In 1979 she was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from Northeastern University. Throughout the 90s she continued her service in finances both in the Provincialate and in the FMM Center in North Providence.

She leaves a brother, John Loughlin of Doylestown, Pa.; and three sisters, Ann Wohlgenant of Anaheim, Calif., Alice Fierro of New York, N.Y., and Elizabeth Blake of Mahopac, N.Y.

Visiting hours will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Feb. 10, 2010, with a Wake Service at 7 p.m. in Holy Family Chapel, Fruit Hill Avenue, North Providence. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Holy Family Chapel Feb. 11 at 11 a.m. Funeral arrangements are by Russell J. Boyle and Son Funeral Home. www.boyleandsonfuneralhome.com