Sister Mary Anne Guthrie, OP
    Born October 18, 1926
    Professed August 15, 1946
    Born to eternal Life -- November 19, 2007

Marjorie Ann Guthrie, daughter of Frank and Victoria Ross Guthrie was born Oct. 18, 1926, in Memphis, TN.  She was preceded in death by her parents and two brothers Frank and Fr. Milton.  She is survived by her sisters Mary Ellen and Arline.

 She entered St. Catharine Novitiate on Feb. 2, 1945 and was professed Aug. 15, 1946.  Mary Anne’s list of ministries testifies to her tremendous love of God and her burning desire for justice for his people.

In 1946, Mary Anne began her ministry as a teacher at Our Lady of Peace School, Chicago.  After four years she enrolled as a student nurse in Spalding College.  After her graduation she served as a nurse in Kentucky at St. Catharine Infirmary; Mary Immaculate Hospital, Lebanon; Rosary Hospital, Campbellsville; and St. Catherine Hospital, McCook, NE.  In 1963 she became Administrator of St. John Hospital, Spalding, NE and directed the addition of a new chapel and Nursing Home to the facility.

After seeing the abject poverty and need of the people in Memphis, she went there in 1968 to begin her service to the poor at John Gaston City Hospital and St. Jude Childrens’ Hospital

Soon after Memphis became a diocese in 1971, Sr. Mary Anne took the newly-installed Bishop Dozier on a tour of south Memphis to witness the living conditions of the people.  After this Bishop Dozier appointed Mary Anne his administrative assistant and director of the Department of Human Resources for the diocese.

Sr. Mary Anne was also a crusader for pacifist causes and a strong critic of the Vietnam War. Because of this she entered the Democratic Primary race for a seat in Congress.  Although she was defeated, she later served as co-chairman for Harold Ford’s successful campaign.

In 1976, she went to Beirut, Lebanon for six months to minister to the war victims in the American University Hospital.

After Bishop Dozier’s retirement in 1982, Mary Anne joined our Dominican Sisters in Chimbote, Peru.  Illness forced her to return to the United States and after recuperation she went to Watertown, MA. to oversee the building of Siena Village.  After the completion of that project Mary Anne returned to the South as Coordinator of Housing in Walls, MS.; Executive Director of DePorres Delta Ministry, Batesville, MS.; and Pastoral Minister at St. Peter’s Village, Memphis.

In 2002, she came to St. Catharine Motherhouse and in 2004 she moved to Sansbury Care Center.

What more can be said?  Sr. Mary Anne lived and loved her Dominican vocation. In her life she received praise and honor, and she also suffered some criticism, but in all circumstances she remained the gentle, southern lady full of grace and calm.

Mary Anne, may you be welcomed into paradise by your loving family, especially Fr. Milton, and that long line of souls you touched by your service and love.

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