Sister Annunciata Youhas

FEBRUARY 13, 1915 - FEBRUARY 24, 2004

Sister Annunciata (Margaret) Youhas died on February 24, 2004, in Bethlehem, Pa. She was 89 and in her 69th year of religious life.

She was born Margaret Eleanore Youhas on February 13, 1915, in Passaic, N.J., to Andrew and Anna Rodek Youhas Mihalko. She was baptized on February 24, 1915, at St. Mary’s Church in Passaic, and Confirmed in 1926 at SS. Cyril & Methodius church in Clifton, N.J.

Margaret was educated in the public school system in Clifton before transferring to Mount Assisi Academy in Pittsburgh, Pa., to complete her high school education. Before entering the convent, Margaret worked at a textile mill in Paterson, N.J. On September 7, 1931, she entered the postulancy at Mount Assisi Convent in Pittsburgh. She was received into the novitiate on August 4, 1963, and received the name Sister Annunciata. After professing first vows on August 7, 1934, Sister taught at St. Gabriel School on Pittsburgh’s Northside, all while studying piano and violin and attending classes sponsored by the Knights of Columbus.

Sister Annunciata pronounced her final wows in 1940 at Mount Assisi Convent. Over the years, she was a teacher, school principal, director of catechetical programs and, of course, organist and choir director. She received a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Villa Maria College in Erie, Pa., in 1950 and a master’s degree in administration from Seton Hall University in New Jersey in 1967.

Sister Annunciata loved people and often extended herself in her ministry, serving at parishes and schools in the Pennsylvania towns of New Castle, Hellertown, Perryopolis, Bethlehem, Northampton, Emmaus and Stowe; in the New Jersey towns of Carteret, Boonton and Guttenberg; and in Westfield, Mass.

She taught the alter boys, led the Sodality of Mary and was never too busy to stop and talk to people along the way. She loved her students and, in her retired years, often related stories of her school experiences. She touched the hearts of everyone she met and those she served so generously.

In 1998, Sister Annunciata retired to Villa Clare at Monocacy Manor in Bethlehem, Pa. This was a difficult move for her because she always wanted to be independent and involved with some ministry. Sister remained active by helping the young Sisters from India with their English studies. They appreciated her patience and her gentle corrections.

Sister Annunciata gave her talent and her energy to praising God with songs of joy. Music was her greatest happiness, and Sister’s fondest memories were those of the choirs in the various parishes where she served as organist. We know that Sister continues to sing songs of love and praise at the heavenly banquet.

Sister Annunciata is buried in St. Francis Cemetery at Monocacy Manor in Bethlehem, Pa.