Sister Ann Miriam Kennedy, RSM Sister Ann Miriam Kennedy, (Miriam Elizabeth Ann Kennedy), age 87, died January 29, 2012 at McAuley Convent in Merion. Sister is survived by her sister, Eileen K. McCarry, brothers Thomas P. and Edward J. (Mary Anne), brother-in-law Thomas Hagenbach, and many nieces and nephews. She was the sister of the late Joseph M., John J., Virginia, and Julia Hagenbach. After graduating from West Philadelphia Catholic High School for Girls, she was a clerk for General Accident Insurance at 414 Walnut Street. She entered the Sisters of Mercy in September, 1944 and professed her vows in April, 1947. Sister earned a B.S. in Education from Villanova in 1956. She spent several summers at the Theological Institute of Saint Norbert College in De Pere, Wisconsin earning a Certificate in 1993 and becoming a fan of the Green Bay Packers. She taught elementary school at Mater Misericordiae Academy (Merion), Our Lady of Lourdes (Philadelphia), St. John the Baptist (Shillington), St. Margaret (Narberth), Infant of Prague (Jacksonville, NC), St. Raymond (Philadelphia), St. Matthias (Bala Cynwyd), Holy Cross (Springfield), St. Denis (Havertown), Sacred Heart (Danville, VA), and St. Michael the Archangel (Levittown). She was Coordinator of Religious Education at St. Thomas the Apostle (Chester Heights) and St. Peter and Paul (East Goshen). For her final 11 years in education, she worked for CORA Services as a remedial educator at St. Ambrose School in Philadelphia. Her students describe her as a Pied Piper – a fun-loving, joy-filled person who enjoyed life to the fullest. On January 26, 2012, the Inquirer published a Letter from a former pupil, Rev. Kevin Gillespie, SJ, president-elect of St. Joseph’s University, recounting an important lesson learned from his teacher whom he later invited to his First Mass. In May, 2002, a stroke left her severely debilitated, causing her to leave education and move to McAuley Convent. Through the years, even as her condition worsened, she never lost her smile, her love of music (especially Frank Sinatra) and her positive attitude. Services for Sister Ann Miriam will be Thursday, February 2 at the Convent of Mercy Chapel, Merion, with a viewing from 6:00 – 7:30 pm followed by the Liturgy of Christian Burial at 7:30 pm. Burial will be in the Community Cemetery on Friday, February 3 at 10:00 am. Contributions in Sister’s memory may be sent to the Sisters of Mercy Mid-Atlantic Community, 515 Montgomery Avenue, Merion, PA 19066.
