Anna May Rochford (Sister Mary Warren, OP) passed away on May 27 after serving as a Sister of St. Dominic for almost 80 years. She was 98 years old.
She was born on Aug. 7, 1926, to William and Mary Ellen Nolan Rochford, both born in Ireland.
Raised in Brooklyn with her eight siblings, Anna May was educated at Fourteen Holy Martyrs School. She spent her high school years at the Dominican Juniorate, Villa Maria, in Water Mill, New York.
In 1945, Anna May entered the novitiate at Amityville and received her Dominican habit and religious name, Sister Mary Warren, in 1946. She pronounced her first vows in 1947 and her final vows in 1950.
Anna May earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Molloy University, Rockville Centre, New York, and a Master of Science from St. John’s University, Jamaica.
From 1947 to 1973, she taught elementary grades at several schools in Brooklyn, Queens, Nassau, and Suffolk. She also served as principal at Our Lady of Lourdes, Massapequa Park, New York. In 1975, she began her ministry in secondary education, teaching history at St. John the Baptist Diocesan High School in West Islip, New York, and later at La Salle Military Academy in Oakdale, New York, where she also served as campus minister and administrative assistant.
In 2013, as her health declined, she became a resident in Carlin Hall at the Motherhouse in Amityville.
Over her many years of ministry and communal living, Anna May was known as a warm, spirited, deeply prayerful, and involved community member. Her great love for the congregation was noted by everyone who lived with her over the years.
Anna May had a deep love and concern for her large family, just as they had for her. She took great pride in her Irish heritage.
She is survived by her loving sister and brother, Margaret and John, as well as many treasured nieces, nephews, grandnieces, and grandnephews, and by her devoted sisters in the community.
Visitation took place at Queen of the Rosary Motherhouse on June 4, followed by the Mass of Christian Burial on the grounds of the Motherhouse.