LEAVENWORTH — Sister Anne Callahan, 97, a Sister of Charity of Leavenworth for 78 years, died on July 13.
Born Anne Terese Callahan on June 18, 1929, in Des Moines, Iowa, she was the youngest of two daughters of Thomas and Catherine Callahan.
She attended Catholic schools in Des Moines, where her love of music began at an early age. A music scholarship brought her to Saint Mary College (now the University of Saint Mary) in Leavenworth in 1947, where she first met the Sisters of Charity.
She entered the Sisters of Charity community on Aug. 19, 1948. She received her habit on Feb. 15, 1949, and was given the name Sister Mary Incarnata. She later returned to her baptismal name, Sister Anne.
Sister Anne earned a bachelor of music degree in piano and music education from Saint Mary College and a master of music degree from DePaul University in Chicago.
For more than six decades, Sister Anne shared her gifts as musician, educator, accompanist, conductor and liturgist. She began her ministry teaching music in elementary schools in Topeka; Laramie, Wyoming; and Kansas City, Missouri, before teaching in secondary schools in Billings and Helena, Montana; Kansas City, Missouri; and Leavenworth.
In 1964, Sister Anne joined the faculty of Saint Mary College where she taught for 35 years, including 20 years as music department chair. For generations of Sisters, students, alumni, faculty and friends, Sister Anne was the musical heart of the community. Whether conducting acclaimed musicals, accompanying students at recitals, leading choirs or playing the organ for liturgies, she helped countless people encounter beauty, joy and prayer through music. She mentored generations of students, leaving an enduring mark on the University of Saint Mary that continues to resonate today.
Sister Anne’s ministry extended well beyond the classroom. She served as novice director for five years and volunteered in the adult mental health program at St. John Hospital in Santa Monica, California. She also directed the Catholic choir at the United States Federal Penitentiary in Leavenworth for 10 years. She taught music appreciation courses at the Kansas State Penitentiary, the United States Federal Penitentiary and the United States Disciplinary Barracks.
Music remained at the heart of her ministry throughout her life. Beginning in 1964, she served as choir director for the Sisters of Charity motherhouse. In 1998, she also became director of liturgy, faithfully carrying both ministries until her retirement in 2016. In retirement, she continued serving as organist, pianist and mentor whenever her gifts were needed.
