Providence Sister Anne Doherty was 14th general superior of order

Criterion staff report

Providence Sister Anne Doherty, who served from 1981 to 1986 as the 14th general superior of the Sisters of Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, died on Feb. 3 in Mother Theodore Hall at the order’s motherhouse in St. Mary-of-the-Woods. She was 84.

Visitation took place on Feb. 7 at the Church of the Immaculate Conception at the motherhouse with a wake service following. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Feb. 8 in the Church of the Immaculate Conception. Burial will follow in the sisters’ cemetery.

“Sister Anne always displayed a zest for and an enjoyment of life,” said Providence Sister Diane Wilkinson, the order’s current general superior. “As a clinical psychologist, she dealt with a spectrum of human suffering.

“However, her learning from her experience of working in the context of a mental health facility was this—Providence is evident in the marvels of human resiliency.

“Sister Anne’s trust in Providence and in human resiliency made her a warm and human Sister of Providence, an instrument of Providence.”

Sister Anne was born on May 6, 1928, in Indianapolis. She grew up as a member of St. Philip Neri Parish on the city’s near east side.

She entered the Sisters of Providence on Jan. 9, 1946, and professed perpetual vows on Aug. 15, 1953.

Sister Anne earned a bachelor’s degree in education from Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College, and a master’s degree in psychology and doctorate in clinical psychology, both from the Catholic University of America in Washington.

She ministered for 20 years as an educator in Illinois and Indiana.

In the Archdiocese of Indianapolis, Sister Anne taught at the former St. Mary School in Richmond and the former St. Anthony School in Indianapolis, where she also served as principal.

Sister Anne served as a staff psychologist at the Vigo County Guidance Clinic from 1969 to 1972 and as chief psychologist and director of clinical services at the Hamilton Center in Terre Haute from 1972 to 1979.

At different periods, she taught as an associate professor of psychology at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College, a professor of psychology at Martin University in Indianapolis and an associate professor of pastoral psychology at Weston School of Theology in Cambridge, Mass.

Sister Anne was elected general superior at the time she was teaching at Weston School of Theology.

During her tenure as leader of the Sisters of Providence, Sister Anne began the effort to renovate the Church of the Immaculate Conception on the motherhouse’s campus and coordinated the building of Karcher Hall, now known as Mother Theodore Hall, a health care facility for sisters and the public.

A new constitution for the Sisters of Providence also received approval from the Holy See during Sister Anne’s time as general superior.

After serving as leader of the order, Sister Anne ministered as an advocate and psychology expert for the Diocese of Monterey, Calif., and in a similar position for the Diocese of Gary, Ind. She also worked as a clinical psychologist at Community Mental Health Center in Batesville and for Providence Self Sufficiency Ministry in West Terre Haute, where she also served as a school psychologist.

In retirement, Sister Anne served as a driver for her community and in prayer.

Sister Anne is survived by a sister, Eileen Munshower of Bozeman, Mont., and a brother, James Doherty of Beech Grove.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Sisters of Providence, 1 Sisters of Providence, St. Mary-of-the-Woods, IN 47876. †