A funeral Mass for Sister Carol Ann Callahan, RSM, will be celebrated at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, May 21, in the chapel at Mercy Center, 2039 N. Geyer Road in Frontenac. Sister Carol Ann died May 8 at Catherine’s Residence, the community’s retirement center, in Frontenac. She was 85 years old and a Sister of Mercy of the Americas for 66 years.
Carol Ann Callahan was born on March 24, 1940, in St. Louis to James and Elizabeth Callahan. She graduated from Mercy High School in St. Louis in 1958. On Sept. 8, 1958, Carol Ann entered the Religious Sisters of Mercy and later received the name Sister John Mary. She professed her first vows in 1961 and made perpetual profession on Aug. 16, 1966. Her ring motto was, “Jesus, Mary, Give Me Strength.”
Sister Carol Ann received her bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Webster College (now University) and later a master of science in social work from Saint Louis University.
Sister Carol Ann taught at Holy Name Elementary School in New Orleans for two years and was a child care worker and administrator at Mercita Hall in St Louis for 11 years. She ministered as a pastoral associate at St. Dominic Savio Parish in Affton and a social worker for Catholic Charities and Hosea House. Additionally, Sister Carol Ann served eight years on the leadership team of the St. Louis Regional Community. Her greatest passion was working with those who were underserved, ministering to people through the St. Augustine-Wellston Center for 22 years.
Sister Carol Ann enjoyed being outdoors, St. Louis Cardinals baseball, and most of all, her family. She has been an advocate, leader and active participant of the Mercy Associates in St. Louis and Washington, Missouri, for years since the Sisters of Mercy established this affiliation in the 1980s.
She is survived by her sister Kathleen and a host of nieces, nephews and many loved ones. She was preceded in death by her parents, and siblings Robert, Patricia, Donald, James and John.
A private burial will be in Calvary Cemetery.
