Sister Ann Clare Fox
Born to earthly life: October 29, 1926
Religious profession: July 23, 1948
Entered eternal Life: October 23, 2010
Reading Sister Ann Clare’s entertaining autobiography, you would quickly note her characteristic enthusiasm and love for both her community life and her various ministries. Religious life was a perfect fit for her.
She was born and educated in Fort Wayne, Indiana, and mentions that she and her sister learned to hold their own with their seven teasing brothers. Her parents advised her to work for a year before she followed her heart to the convent. Her business courses at Central Catholic High School prepared her well for her work as secretary in the candidature for her directress.
Teaching assignments were in Wisconsin and Illinois and included three elementary schools and two high schools, where she taught history, religion, and sociology, along with directing mission and Catholic Action clubs. Lastly, she taught theology at Mount Mary College for 17 years, headed the theology department, and was local leader for the community for some of those years.
Sister Ann Clare had a great influence, not only on young SSND theologians, whom she invited into the theology department, but also upon the broader community. In 1982, she initiated the popular summer Institute in Spirituality and Mission. Renowned speakers included theologians like Bernard Haring, Barnabas Ahern, George Maloney, Raymond Brown, Pheme Perkins, Roger Haight, and Sandra Schneiders.
“She was so encouraging and built my confidence as a college teacher,” Sister Sandra Ann Weinke shared at the resurrection liturgy. Sister Joan Penzenstadler added, “She observed my work with youth and encouraged me to go on for further study in theology. She developed a spirit of community between the theology majors and professors. She had a great influence in the college.”
Others commented on her approachableness, support, and her generosity with time in serving as local leader, as well as in her role on the college’s board of directors. Sisters remember her as a gracious hostess to guests.
Ann Clare closed her autobiography by saying, “I consider it a privilege to be with my sisters here at Elm Grove. I am grateful for their example of gracefully growing older.” It would be misleading to imply that life was all roses for Ann Clare. Tested in the crucible of suffering in her life, Ann Clare faithfully bore her cross to the end and now she has joined her spouse, who was bread, blessed and broken, for us all.
While visiting Ann Clare close to her death, Sister Mary Faith Parkinson experienced the following incident. “From a coma Ann Clare suddenly opened her eyes and looked beyond me with a radiant smile to Someone whom she saw, and then she slipped back into a coma.” I’m sure that that Someone now holds her in an eternal embrace.
– Mary Catherine Dundon, SSND
Sister Ann Clare received a Bachelor of Arts with a major in history and minors in social science and English from Mount Mary College, Milwaukee, Wis.; a Master of Arts in history from Loyola University, Chicago, Ill.; and a Master of Arts in theology from Marquette University, Milwaukee, Wis. She worked as an educator for 36 years, teaching intermediate, high school and college students. In later years she served in pastoral ministry. When she retired to the Notre Dame of Elm Grove Community in 1999, she continued to give of herself as a volunteer and through her prayers and presence.
Sister Ann Clare’s ministry locations included:
- St. Aloysius, West Allis, Wis.
- Academy of Our Lady, Chicago, Ill.
- Messmer High School, Milwaukee, Wis.
- Notre Dame of the Lake, Mequon, Wis.
- Mount Mary College, Milwaukee, Wis.
- SS Peter & Paul, Huntington, Ind.
- Visitation, Elm Grove, Wis.
- Mount Carmel Convent, Mount Calvary, Wis.
- Notre Dame of Elm Grove, Elm Grove, Wis.
Sister Ann Clare Fox, died at Notre Dame of Elm Grove on October 23, 2010, age 83. She is survived by nieces, nephews, other relatives, friends and the SSND Community. A Wake Service and Mass of Christian Burial were celebrated on October 28 at Holy Family Chapel, Notre Dame of Elm Grove, 13105 Watertown Plank Road. In lieu of flowers, a donation to the School Sisters of Notre Dame Retirement Fund is appreciated.
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