Dominican Sister of Peace Sister Ann Bell, OP, died on July 24 at the Sansbury Care Center in St. Catharine, KY. She was 90 years old. One of six children, she was born in 1927 in Springfield, KY, to Ann Hill and Miles Bell. She entered the Dominican Sisters of St. Catharine in Kentucky, now the Dominican Sisters of Peace, in 1946.
Sr. Ann earned a Bachelor of Science in Home Economics/Science from Spalding College in Louisville, KY and a Masters of Education in Home Economics from St. Louis University in St. Louis, MO. She also received a certificate of Theological Studies from the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago, IL.
Sr. Ann was an elementary school teacher in Kentucky, Ohio and West Virginia before she was named the Director of Food Services for Louisville Catholic Schools. She also served as Registrar at St. Catharine College in St. Catharine, KY; as Assistant VP for Academic Affairs at Pikeville College in Pikeville, KY; and as Graduate Registrar at Spalding University in Louisville, KY.
Sr. Ann was also very active in her Dominican Community. She was selected as the Coordinator of the Motherhouse Community in St. Catharine KY, and was appointed a Regional Superior, working with Sisters in 6 states and 7 dioceses. She was also elected a Member of the Governing Board of the St. Catharine congregation.
In her preaching at the Funeral Mass, Sister Catherine Mahady, OP, remembered Sr. Ann not only for her strong professional skills, but for her love for her Community, her dedication to the Dominican charism of study and learning, and her unshakable faith in God.
Sr. Ann is survived by three sisters Jane and Pat Bell, and Margaret Riney of Louisville, KY, as well as several nieces and nephews.
A Vigil of Remembrance and the Mass of Christian Burial were held on Friday, July 28 at the Sansbury Care Center. Chapel. Sr. Ann was buried at the St. Catharine Motherhouse Cemetery in St. Catharine, KY.
Memorial gifts in Sr. Ann’s memory may be submitted securely online at oppeace.org, or sent to:
Dominican Sisters of Peace
Office of Mission Advancement
2320 Airport Drive, Columbus, OH 43219