In Loving Memory...

Sister M. Francis Anne, CSC
(Cecilia Ann Kintz)
Birth: November 22, 1921
Profession: August 15, 1949
Death: May 17, 2007

Sister M. Francis Anne (Cecilia Ann Kintz), CSC, was born in Terre Haute, Indiana, to the late Arthur and Catherine Cunningham Kintz. She was one of seven children and is survived by her sister, Elizabeth Kintz of Indiana, and her brother, Robert Kintz of Arizona. Two brothers and two sisters predeceased her.

Cecilia Ann Kintz received her early education at Saint Patrick’s School and Saint Patrick’s Central Catholic High in Terre Haute. She began her collegiate studies at Saint Mary of the Woods College, Terre Haute, but soon transferred to Saint Mary of the Wasatch in Salt Lake City, Utah. No doubt this transfer was influenced by her cousin, a Holy Cross sister, Sister Miriam Francis.

Cecilia Ann received her BA degree from Saint Mary of the Wasatch, Salt Lake City, in 1946, and entered the Sisters of the Holy Cross in January 1947. On August 15, 1947, she received the habit and the name Sister M. Francis Anne. She made her first profession in 1949 and her final profession in 1952. In 1964, Sister Francis Anne received her master’s degree in education from Loyola University in Chicago. She taught in elementary schools in Illinois and Indiana 14 years and was supervisor and principal at Sacred Heart, Fort Wayne, for one year. She determined that administration was not her gift, so she returned to teaching for another seven years. In 1970 she began 14 years as an office assistant in schools in Illinois and Michigan and at the regional house in Hazel Crest, Illinois. This was followed by three years as an accountant at Saint Mary’s School, Michigan City, then on to Queen of All Saints School in the same city as librarian for 11 years.

In 1998 Sister Francis Anne was assigned to Terre Haute to care for her sister Elizabeth. She remained there until her death this past week.

Francis Anne had a real gift for being aware of people and their needs. She was very compassionate and always ready to assist others over the years. She was a woman of principle, who never criticized anyone or anything. Her unassuming gentle nature was almost taken for granted, as was her quiet smile.

One of our sisters shared this reflection:

“It was in the '70s when I was the principal at Holy Redeemer in Flint that I first knew Francis. She was the secretary in the school, with an adjoining office to mine. Her secretarial skills were outstanding, and her commitment to her responsibilities made her a great asset to the students, the faculty and me. The gift that she brought to both the local community and the school was a quiet presence. Even when she was invited to be involved, she did so only if she could remain in the background. One morning about 9:30 Francis walked into my office, pulling her ear as she said, ‘That caller just said there is a bomb in the school set to go off at 12:30.’ She said it in the same tone of voice as if she were inviting me to go with her to enjoy some pancakes for breakfast. On another occasion, she became aware of more noise than usual coming from the gym, which was adjacent to her office. After surveying the situation she found the boys were throwing a basketball at the lights in the ceiling. She decided against addressing the situation herself, and asked the president of the student council, who was watching, whether he thought they should be throwing the ball at the lights. He decided they probably should not. He told them so, and they stopped. Francis was pretty amazed that one of their own peers could call a halt to this activity.”

She always had great love for her brothers, sisters, nieces and nephews. Over the years during the summer she assisted her family with the maintenance of rental property in Terre Haute. They literally were the summer maintenance team! Her sisters, Lib and Gen, along with Francis and the dog, were quite a foursome. All loved to ride in the car, and took many trips. Wherever they visited they always collected postcards of the location.

Because of her older sister’s illness, Francis Anne devoted her last eight years to the care of Elizabeth, in her home in Terre Haute. She was such a loving and gentle person.  She was the perfect caregiver. She was close to all the members of her family and they loved her and were grateful for her selfless spirit. The hallmark of her life was her gift of “presence” to all with whom and to whom she ministered over the years.

Last Thursday at 5:20 p.m. she died quietly as she had lived. From Union Hospital in Terre Haute, Francis Anne entered onto the presence of God. May she be at home in the loving gaze of God.

Written by Sister Joan Elizabeth, 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.