Sr. Anne Crane, IHM, 90, died Thursday, Sept. 17, at Promedica Monroe Hospital after a brief illness. She was a resident of the IHM Senior Living Community, Monroe.
Sister Anne was assigned to St. Matthew and Gesu (Detroit) and St. Vincent (Pontiac) in her early teaching ministry. Moving to secondary education, she taught at Immaculata High School (Detroit) and then Marygrove College in Education. Her life’s work and legacy would become her 1972 assignment to St. Edward’s University, Austin, Texas. Sister Anne was one of several IHM Monroe Sisters missioned to St. Edward’s at the school’s request to establish a women’s college as a sister school to the men’s college. In over 35 years of ministry there, she served as faculty and chair of Humanities. She undoubtedly touched the lives and hearts of many through her dedication to education and St. Edward’s University. Sister Anne eventually earned a PhD in education at St. Edward’s. She retired from there as Professor Emerita in 2008.
Born in Detroit on June 4, 1934, and named Ann Marie, she was one of eight siblings in the home of Byron and Anna Mary (Loeffler) Crane. She attended St. Patrick, Wyandotte, as a child and graduated from St. Mary Academy, Monroe. At both schools, she engaged with IHM Sisters. She studied at the University of Wisconsin and Marygrove College, earning her baccalaureate degree from the latter in 1955. She entered the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (Monroe) and received the religious name Sister Ann Jerome. She earned a Master of Arts in English Language and Literature from the University of Michigan in 1969.
Sister Anne left sunny Austin and returned to the Motherhouse in 2008. Adjusting to Michigan’s climate, she was active and involved by assisting in the Sisters’ Archives Office and community works, offering writing skills, philosophy on life, and many conversations on history and current events. She loved intellectual engagement. Through all her interactions, Sister Anne reflected a positive, historical-based perspective and a wonderful sense of humor! She had many friendships with fellow sisters, the Senior Living Community and staff on the Monroe Campus. She will be greatly missed.
Sister Anne is survived by her sisters Rose S. and Maureen L., nieces and nephews and her IHM Sisters in community. She was preceded in death by sister Mary Ellen and brothers Byron P., Martin J., Fredrick L., and Robert J.
Services will be held at the IHM Motherhouse Chapel, 610 W. Elm Avenue, Monroe, on Thursday, Sept. 26. Welcoming of the body begins at 9 a.m., followed by a Remembering and Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. Streaming begins at 10 a.m. Burial will follow at a later date. Arrangements are under the direction of Rupp Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to the IHM Retirement Fund, 610 W. Elm Avenue, Monroe, MI 48162-7909.
Obituaries for clergy and religious who have lived or served in the Archdiocese of Detroit may be emailed to [email protected]. Obituaries are printed as they are submitted, but may be edited for grammar and style. Detroit Catholic reserves the right to refuse or edit any submissions.
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