Sister Mary Ann Francis Henkel, RSM, died peacefully at Mercy Convent Tuesday morning, May 24th, 2022. A Sister of Mercy for 82 years, she was 100 years old.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Herman and Ann Henkel; her brothers Rev. Albert, Gus, and Sylvester; her sisters, Agnes Frey, Josephine Hildebrand, Angela Bricks, and Margaret Catignani.
She is survived by many loving nieces and nephews, great-nieces and nephews, and great-great nieces and nephews. Sister is survived as well by her Mercy Community.
For many years Sister served as teacher and principal in Catholic Schools. Her ministry included Tennessee schools in Nashville, Memphis, Knoxville, Johnson City, Kingsport, Springfield, and Alcoa. She was devoted to visitation in hospitals and nursing homes and taught Religious Education. After retiring from her ministry in education, Sister took up the roles of sacristan and librarian and contributed to the many needs of the Sisters of Mercy at St. Bernard and Mercy Convents.
Educated by the Sisters of Mercy, she was led to join because she saw them as kind, thoughtful, prayerful, and understanding. Her commitment was expressed by the quote in her ring, “Thy will be done”. She was devoted to her family; her niece Vickie Catignani said, “She is loving and caring of everyone.”
At her 100th birthday, Sister expressed her joy of living with the Sisters at Mercy Convent with these words, “The Sisters are wonderful to me. I feel part of the community. They’re kind, they’re watching for my wants. I think that is beautiful.”
A private funeral will be held at Mercy Convent in Nashville, Tennessee, with burial at Calvary Cemetery.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.marshalldonnellycombs.com for the Henkel family.
For more obituaries visit https://davidsoncountysource.com/obituaries/
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