Dominican Sister of Peace Marialein (Mary) Anzenberger, (95), died on December 7, 2019, at the Mohun Health Care Center in Columbus, OH. Sr. Marialein was born in Altoona, PA, to Josephine Lord and Frank Anzenberger. Although she heard the call to religious life at a young age, her parents asked her to work for three years after her high school graduation before entering the convent. She was obedient to their wishes, and then went on to serve God and the Church for 74 years as a Dominican Sister of Peace.
Sr. Marialein earned her Bachelor of Science in Education from Ohio Dominican University in Columbus, OH, and her Master of Science in Business Education from Hunter College in New York City. She ministered as an educator and administrator for 27 years, teaching from grade 1 to high school in Connecticut, Illinois, New York and Ohio.
Sr. Marialein earned her Master of Science in Pastoral Counseling at Iona College in New York City in 1971, and shortly thereafter was drawn to a new ministry as a member of the Marriage Tribunal at the Center of Renewal in Providence, RI. She joined the Campus Ministry team at Albertus Magnus College in New Haven, CT, then returned home to Pennsylvania where she served as a Pastoral Minister in her home parish in McKees Rocks and studied at Duquesne University.
After returning to Columbus, Sr. Marialein served as a Counselor and member of the Marriage Tribunal at the Shrine Center and the Columbus Diocese.
Sr. Marialein served her congregation in the Office of Human Resources in the Columbus Motherhouse before “retiring” to become a nursing home volunteer in Columbus. She entered her final ministry of prayer and presence at the Mohun Health Care Center in 2017.
In her preaching at Sr. Marialein’s funeral, Sr. Carol Ann Spencer recalled Sr. Marialein’s service at Mohun Health Care Center. “She was like the ‘Unofficial Chaplain,’” Sr. Carol Ann said. “She welcomed each new member and would offer to pray with them.”
“While Sr. Marialein considered Sr. Edwina Devlin, at the age of 105, her role model of how to grow old gracefully,” Sr. Carol Ann continued, “Sr. Marialein was my role model. For her,
it was about wisdom, freedom, and learning to let go and be grateful for each moment.”
She was preceded in death by her parents, Francis and Josephine Lord Anzenberger; her sister, Katherine Holmes; and her brothers, Anthony, Frank and Joseph Anzenberger. She is survived by several nieces and nephews.
A Vigil of Remembrance Service was held on December 12, at the Dominican Sisters of Peace Motherhouse Chapel, Columbus, OH. The funeral liturgy was held at the Dominican Sisters of Peace Motherhouse Chapel on December 13. Sr. Marialein was interred at St. Joseph Cemetery in Columbus, OH.
Memorial gifts in Sr. Marialein Anzenberger’s memory may be submitted securely online or sent to the Dominican Sisters of Peace, Office of Mission Advancement, 2320 Airport Dr, Columbus, OH 43219.
To download a printable copy of Sr. Marialein Anzenberger’s memorial, please click here.