Sister Anna Mae Kuzma
January 8, 1931 - October 13, 2014
Sister Anna Mae Kuzma (formerly known as Sister Roseleen) died on October 13, 2014, at Vincentian Home. She was 83 and in her 66th year of religious life.
Sister Anna Mae entered the community in 1944 from Holy Family Parish in Erie, Pa., and professed first vows in 1948 at Mount Assisi Convent in Pittsburgh, Pa. She received a bachelor’s degree in education from Mount Mercy College (Carlow University) and master’s degrees in education and religious education from Duquesne University, both in Pittsburgh.
Throughout her earlier years of ministry, Sister Anna Mae taught at parish schools in the Pennsylvania towns of New Castle, McKees Rocks, Canonsburg, Northampton and Clymer. She later taught home economics at Mount Assisi Academy from 1961 to 1968. After completing her religious education studies, she spent a decade coordinating parish catechesis programs in Canonsburg, Center Township and Erie Pa.
From 1981 to 1985, she served as vocation director for the former Pittsburgh Province. Throughout her religious life she was known to encourage young men and women to enter religious life. Her nephew, Father John Paul Kuzma, OFM, Cap., credits Sister Anna Mae for encouraging him to become a Franciscan priest.
Sister used her gifts as a campus minister at Penn State University-Behrend Campus in Erie, Pa. until suffering a stroke in 1996. She then spent her time in the ministry of prayer and reaching out to others.
Sister Anna Mae was very creative and authored several books — Tales of Franciscan Calls – The School Sisters of St. Francis, The Faith Journey of a God Jr., The Shadow of a Great Rock and Surviving a Stroke with Style and Grace. She also spent her time writing to shut-ins, the elderly and those who needed to hear God’s “good news” from someone who also shared their sufferings.
Sister Anna Mae was the first of 10 children born to Joseph and Anna Kuzma, who proceeded her in death. She is survived by her religious community, her brothers Francis, Deacon Glenn, Paul, Joseph and Michael; her sisters Therese Taft, Sister Roselyn, Mary Ellen Haynes, Pauline Kisiel and Marilyn Moore; and many nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews and many cousins.
Sister is buried in St. Francis Cemetery at Mt. Assisi Place in Pittsburgh, Pa.