In Loving Memory...
Sister Anna Marie Towers, CSC
(Sister M. Eustace)
Birth: March 29, 1920
Profession: August 15, 1947
Death: January 25, 2007
There is no single adjective that can describe Sister Anna Marie
because each of her many talents emerged at different times in her life as
she encountered the various needs in her local situation. Even as a child,
she was never daunted by challenges because she enthusiastically embraced each of
them.
Born in Denver, Colorado, as the eldest of the five daughters of Anna
Marie and Leo Joseph Towers, she quickly learned and accepted the role of
big sister and in later years became revered as the matriarch of the
family. By the time she was 6, the family had settled in Southern
California, which she called home and where all of her sisters still live.
Her early education was in local parish schools, but it was her high
school education at St. Agnes in Los Angeles that provided
her introduction to the Sisters of the Holy Cross. As an
accomplished young violinist she joined the school orchestra under the direction
of Sister Noel—beginning a special relationship that grew over the
years.
After graduating from high school Anna Marie took a job at the RCA
recording studio, where she screened the company’s classical recordings
for imperfections. During her years at RCA she took voice lessons and
developed her natural talent to a high degree of excellence. She was
offered the opportunity to begin a professional singing career but instead
chose to enter Holy Cross. Sister Noel, her good friend and mentor, helped
her prepare for this life-changing move.
Anna Marie was a vivacious and fun-loving person, and her lyrical laugh
was contagious. In an animated conversation, her face would light up and
her hands would become a part of the conversation. We often joked with her
that she wouldn’t be able to talk if her hands were tied.
Her giftedness in music made that the obvious choice for her early
ministries. For 25 years she taught music in the elementary schools of the
Western states. Teaching small children piano lessons must have sometimes
grated on her artistic ear, but she was very patient. Sister Marissa, who
worked with her in the Development Office, said that patience was a
hallmark of her personality. Sister Patrice, her superior in Ventura,
California, before she came to Saint Mary’s, wrote, “I have known this
dear sister most of my life. She was our choir director when I attended
St. Bernard’s grade school in Oakland. I loved her.” This was true of
many of her former students and associates with whom she worked. My e-mail
box was full of messages relating stories of the positive effect she has
had on the lives of many.
Though music was her area of expertise, that did not cause her to
hesitate launching into other ministries where she perceived a need, but
she never entered a new endeavor without thought and preparation. Before
establishing the Women’s Rehab Association for alcoholics in Northern
California, she took classes to gain knowledge about the disease and its
effects on those addicted. Sister Margaret Shield wrote from Bangladesh
about how very impressed she was when she went with Sister Anna Marie to one of
her AA meetings in San Francisco.
From Northern California she moved to Utah, where her work as
administrative assistant and fundraiser for the Catholic Community
Services organization in Salt Lake City was a prefect stepping-off place
for her 10 years of work establishing and organizing the congregation’s
Ministry With the Poor Development Office. Because of her hard work and
engaging personality, the program grew and took on a life of its own. So
after 10 years of administrative duties and devoted service she was ready
to return to her beloved West.
Typical of Sister Anna Marie’s dedication, she became totally involved
in the life of St. Bernadette’s in Los Angeles. The parish Christian
Service program was a perfect fit for her, but she extended herself as
usual, accepting the role of chaplain for their Legion of Mary and gifting
the parish gospel choir with her beautiful voice. It was at St. Bernadette’s
that she honed her already fine cooking talent to become the
self-appointed chef of Sister Carolita, her very close friend and living
companion whose health concerns needed a cautious monitoring.
No memento of Sister Anna Marie would be complete without mentioning
her great love for animals. “Animal Planet” was her favorite TV show.
However, Tango, her bird, was the light of her life, and her two cats,
Princess and Sweet Pea, gave her much joy.
When Anna Marie’s declining health meant she would need extra care,
she chose to come to Saint Mary’s. She had already decided to return to
Saint Mary’s this summer for her diamond jubilee and then make it her
permanent home. And after being here only a short time she told her
friends in Ventura that she was just about “partied” out because of
all the activities and celebrations. She was happy in her choice.
Her final days here confirmed her choice when she was surrounded by her
loving sisters and consoled and supported by the presence of her nephew,
Father Greg King, who flew from California to be at her bedside.
Sister Anna Marie was a wonderful friend and a beautiful religious
woman. She was gifted and she was gift.
Written by Sister Margaret Ann Nowacki, CSC
Memorial contributions may be made to the Sisters of the Holy Cross
Ministry With the Poor Fund, Saint Mary’s, Notre Dame, Indiana 46556.
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