'It feels wonderful' to be 100

Susan Bailey | CFP Correspondent
    
LEOMINSTER – Sunday, January 27, was Sister Anna Farragher’s birthday, but it was no ordinary observance for the member of the Presentation Sisters of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Sitting in her wheelchair and surrounded by family and friends, she celebrated her 100th birthday.
“It feels wonderful,” she said.
The party was held at the Presentation Health Care Center. Among the guests was Mayor Dean Mazzarella, who presented Sister Anna with a certificate of recognition for having reached 100 years of age.
Sister Anna was born and raised in Clinton. Her parents originally came from Ireland. She became a Presentation Sister on Feb. 2, 1937 upon graduation from high school. First exposed to the sisters through her grammar school education at St. John’s Catholic School in Clinton (since closed). She was drawn to religious life through the example of her teachers and the order’s mission of education and service. Two of her cousins, Gertrude and Helen Rider, already Presentation Sisters, inspired her to dedicate her life to God.
Sister Anna (once known as Sister Mary Bernard) set out to emulate the foundress of her order, Honora “Nano” Nagle. Nano Nagle made it her mission to give poor Irish children in the mid-1700s a good Catholic education, even though it was against the law. After a long day of teaching, Nano Nagle would roam the streets at night with her lantern, seeking the poor who needed her help.
According to longtime friend Father Dennis O’Brien, formerly the pastor of Our Lady of the Lake Parish in Leominster, Sister Anna has followed her foundress well.
“Sister Anna carried the light of Nano Nagle wherever she went and brightened up people’s lives,” he said.
After receiving her bachelor’s degree from Catholic Teaching College and her master’s degree from Boston College, Sister Anna taught at both the elementary and secondary levels (teaching high school English). Her service included Presentation schools in Clinton, Leominster and Fitchburg; Warwick and Woonsocket, Rhode Island (where she served as principal); and Stamford, Conn.
How did her students regard their teacher?
“They loved her!” said Sister Patricia Dowler, who has known Sister Anna since 1964 when she entered the order. “She was tough but she was fair. People loved her; they really did. Students still come back today to visit.”
According to Sister Pat, Sister Anna was a trailblazer. “She was always up on the latest when she was a principal in Rhode Island,” she said.
Sister Anna exhibited similar leadership during the 1960s transition brought on by Vatican II.
“Anna was always a first forerunner of everything. She was right on target and she was very accepting of the changes. She is really a woman to be admired,” Sister Pat added. And, “Anna always has a smile. She radiates the joy of community. And she was always ready for a party!”
That joy was evident in the elderly nun during her birthday celebration.
Sister Maureen Hickey, nurse manager/wellness coordinator for PBVM New England, commented on Sister Anna’s remarkable connection with her family.
“Her family comes regularly, including nieces and nephews,” she said. Some 50 family members, representing four generations of the Farragher family, celebrated Sister Anna’s birthday with a dinner at the Presentation Health Care Center.
A struggle during Sister Anna’s life was in not being able to visit her family during the holidays in the early years of her service.
“When she could go home, she could stay for only an hour or two,” said Sister Maureen. When that restriction was lifted, Sister Anna attended many family functions. “She’d be gone all day,” Sister Maureen said.
When asked for the secret of her longevity, Sister Anna said, “I think it’s just taking good care of yourself.” Her favorite form of exercise was swimming which she did for many years at the YMCA in Fitchburg. When she turned 90, the Montachusett Community Branch YMCA granted her a lifetime membership. After retiring from teaching she lived in Rocky Creek, Florida, for a time, where she could swim year round.
In addition to teaching, Sister Anna was in charge of the eucharistic ministers and lectors at the convent.
“She would have me read every Friday because she loved to hear my New Jersey accent,” quipped Sister Maureen.
Sister Anna was also involved with International Home Care Services and Catholic Charities from 1985-1995, when she retired.
Father O’Brien remarked on her love for the priests in the diocese.
“She was at my diaconate ordination; she was at my priesthood ordination and my first Mass and we became great friends over the years,” Father O’Brien said. “She loved the priests; she is a wonderful religious, a good Presentation Sister.”
Fellow Presentation Sister Joan Mary McDermott, who has known Sister Anna since the 1960s, remembers her as a wonderful storyteller. “Anna always kept us happy,” said Sister Joan. “She’s a wonderful person and I am very happy to see her reach 100 years.”
Of her long life Sister Anna remarked, “It was never boring.”