Lest We Forget
Sister Anne Delaney, CSJP (1929-2009)
Good Morning and welcome to the celebration of the life of Sr. Anne Delaney.
Anne Delaney was born in Paisley, Scotland on March 28, 1929, one of twin daughters born to Mary Stafford and Joseph Delaney. The twin girls were the 6th and 7th of the eleven children in this large family. Of her mother, Anne wrote, “Without reservation I can say that the greatest influence in my life has been my mother. She was not Catholic, but was a woman of deep faith who taught me the meaning of love and kindness.”
Anne attended St. Mary’s School in Paisley, and was later employed as a thread worker prior to her entering the Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace in Rearsby on February 11, 1948. The reference from her parish noted that she was an active church worker, as well as an enthusiastic and helpful member of the Girls’ Club.
After her First Profession, Anne was enrolled at Holy Child Jesus College in London, where she earned a certificate in Child Care. Subsequently she served as housemother at St. Joseph Residence and St. Anthony Residence, both in England. She spent time in Scotland at St. Charles and St. Peter’s.
In 1958, Rev. Mother Patricia brought Anne to Mt. Joseph, Spring Lake; other missions included St. Joseph Village, Rockleigh, St. Joseph Home, Jersey City, and Loretto Hall, Newark. In the early 60's Anne came to St. Anne’s in Fair Lawn and part of her assignment was to be the substitute gym teacher. That career did not last long! She was also the cook and housekeeper, and anyone who lived at St. Anne’s could tell some interesting Anne Delaney stories!
In 1971, Anne accepted the opportunity to attend Bergen Pines School of Practical Nursing, and later utilized those skills at Pascack Valley Hospital, County General Hospital in Ventura, California and Hackensack University Medical Center.
Retiring from active ministry in 1991, Sr. Anne continued in residency at Villa Marie Claire until 2005 when she moved to St. Michael Villa. Anne said that one of her favorite ministries was Bergen Pines where she was honored to receive the Nurse of the Year Award.
We all knew that Anne came from a large family and she spoke highly of her siblings, but for those of us who knew Anne, we came to the conclusion that according to Anne several of her brothers and sisters died at least twice. When Anne was no longer capable of traveling home to Scotland, she would say that George or Leo or Mary had just died again!
At times she may have been trying, but she possessed one outstanding quality. She was a generous woman and her generosity knew no bounds. During her years at Villa Marie Claire she would host private dinners for friends. She purchased the best food and spent the day preparing to the extent that several times the fire department had to be called!
I cannot tell you the number of times Anne told me how good her community had been to her, and for that she was deeply grateful. Anne is now at peace in the presence of the God she served. We ask her to intercede with God on our behalf, and we thank God for allowing Anne to be part of our lives.
Maureen Collins, CSJP
February 25, 2009