Sr. Ann Marie Evans of Bellingham, MA, died on December 7, 2018, as a result of a fatal pedestrian accident. She was the beloved Superior of The Franciscan Handmaids of the Immaculate, dedicating her life to Jesus, through His Immaculate Mother. She was born in Brooklyn, NY and was the daughter of the late Joseph and Leonora (Lieberfarb) Evans. She was raised in Shelton, CT and has lived in Bellingham, MA for the last eight years. She is survived by her brother, Richard of New York and her sister, Judy Einhorn of Maryland. She is also survived by cousins, nieces and nephews.
She attained her degree from UConn with a concentration in Special Education. Sr. Ann Marie developed an Art Therapy program for senior citizens and for children and was honored by the governor of Connecticut with a grand dinner. She taught the blind how to dance and after explaining colors to them, she taught them to paint.
Sr. Ann Marie entered Religious Life in the late 1950’s. She had a true Franciscan spirit of joy and a great love for the Immaculate, spreading that vibrant spirit wherever she went. She had a great love for little children – so happy when engaging the children at Catechesis of the Good Shepherd. She delighted in God’s little animal creatures; from nursing sick birds brought to her, feeding an injured rabbit and caring for the birds and other critters outside the convent. She has served the Church faithfully in so many ways for so many years. She is well loved and remembered by all who knew her and she loved them all in return.
Her funeral Mass will be offered at St. Brendan Church, 382 Hartford Ave., Bellingham on Friday, December 14, 2018 at 10 AM. Burial will follow at St. Joseph Cemetery in Medway. Calling hours will be held at St. Brendan Church on Thursday, December 13, 2018 from 3 PM until 8 PM.
In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy or donations in her memory may be made to the St. Brendan Convent Fund, 384 Hartford Avenue, Bellingham, MA 02019.