Obituary — Sr. Mary Anne McCormick

On Tuesday, December 23, Sister Mary Anne McCormick, 86, passed away. Daughter of Leslie and Bernice (Ryan), she was born Anne Rose McCormick on February 22, 1939, in Waukon, Iowa.  She entered the Sisters of the Presentation from Waukon on September 8, 1966, and professed her perpetual vows on July 28, 1974.

She earned a Bachelor of Arts from Clarke College (now Clarke University). With some experience teaching prior to joining the Sisters of the Presentation, Sister Anne’s later ministries took her to Timber Lake, Globe, Ariz., and Charles City, Cedar Falls, Farley, and Sheldon — all in Iowa — where she taught. She also conducted summer Vacation Church Schools in many locations. She retired to Mount Loretto in 2008 and celebrated her 50 Jubilee in 2016.

Sister Anne, a woman of great energy and quick wit, faithfully lived the spirit of Presentation foundress Nano Nagle through a life devoted to service, where she found deep purpose in helping others. After years of ministry as an educator, she embraced community service at Mount Loretto with an open heart, generously serving in many ways, especially as a compassionate companion to senior sisters and organizer of drivers to get sisters to appointments. Grounded in a rich prayer life and sustained by gratitude, Sister Anne approached each person and task with a willing “Here I am, Lord,” a smile, and genuine care. Her presence was a gift — radiating warmth, joy, and an enduring commitment to God and community.

She is survived by her sister-in-law Ivy McCormick, nieces, nephews, and the Sisters of the Presentation with whom she shared her life for 59 years.

She was preceded in death by her parents, brothers Bill (Geraldine), Jim (Dolly), and Jack McCormick, and sisters Regina McCormick, Peggy (Jim) Dempsey, Marilyn (Al) Kruger, and Marita (Tom) Howes.

Visitation and wake service will be held January 8, 2026, from 4 to 8 p.m. at Sacred Heart Chapel, Sisters of the Presentation, with the wake service beginning at 7 p.m. A Funeral Mass will be held January 9, at 11 a.m. Burial to follow.