In Loving Memory

Sister Ann Boland, SUSC 
(Sr. Mary David)
April 14, 1937 – November 7, 2022

Sister Ann Boland, SUSC (Sister Mary David) died November 7^th at Good Samaritan Hospital in Brockton, MA, at the age of 85.  Born in Fall River, MA, on April 14, 1937, she was the daughter of the late David W. Boland and Doris (Devine) Boland. In addition to her Holy Union Sisters, she is survived by her sister Mary Boland Costa of Silver Spring, MD and her brother David Boland of Fort Lauderdale, FL as well as many nieces, nephews and dear friends.
Sister Ann’s early education was with the Holy Union Sisters at Sacred Hearts Academy in Fall River. She earned a B.S.Ed. at Catholic Teachers College in Providence, RI, an M.S in Early Childhood Education at Wheelock College in Boston, and an M.S.W. in Gerontology at Boston College.  A life-long learner, Sister Ann continued her education and spiritual and professional development through her participation in a range of courses and workshops.
Sister Ann joined the Holy Union Sisters on September 8, 1955 and professed her final vows on August 22, 1964.  At the time of her death, she had been a Holy Union Sister for 67 years.
Early in her religious life, Sister Ann taught in parish schools staffed by her community in Baltimore, MD and Astoria, NY.  The bulk of her professional ministerial life, however, was in Massachusetts.  For many years, she taught adult literacy classes in Brockton and was a reading teacher and specialist in Boston schools.  Sister Ann’s passion was for the religious education of children and she served as the Coordinator of Religious Education in parishes of the Archdiocese of Boston and the Diocese of Fall River; additionally, she was a consultant for publishers of religious education textbooks and teaching materials and a presenter at conferences and gatherings of religious education professionals.  Talented in the arts and an exceptionally creative woman, in mid-life Sister Ann trained as a geriatric social worker and brought her gifts to a nursing home as its Director of Activities, to a congregate living site, and to other venues.  In recent years she prepared children and youngsters for their Baptism and was a consultant to Holy Cross Family Ministries in Easton, MA.
Committed to the healthy development of young children, Sister Ann retained something of a child’s wonder and delight at the discovery and uncovering of the “new.”  She was attentive to those on the margins of our society, especially to immigrants and to troubled or disadvantaged youngsters. Loyal to others, she was blessed in return by the loyalty of her faithful friends.

Years ago, in a publication for her religious community, Sister Ann wrote
“From the moment I wake in the wonderment of a new day, …
dashing through the morning routine to drive up Main Street, Brockton, graced by Church after Church, (watching) urchins wait for the school bus …
How can this not be a constant prayer –
seeking the blessing of God upon His people
while seeing all in His loving protection”?
AMEN!

To download a copy of Sr. Ann’s biography, click here Biography Sr. Ann Boland