Reverend Mother Anne of the Mother of God (Brenda Ann Halloran), 74, beloved Prioress of the Discalced Carmelite Nuns of Danvers, died suddenly Saturday morning, October 10, 2009 at the monastery where she had lived, prayed, and worked for the past 48 years as a cloistered Carmelite Nun.
Brenda was the much beloved daughter of the late Edward J. and Theresa A. Halloran. She was born in Cambridge on September 1, 1935. She was educated in the public and Catholic schools of Dorchester and North Quincy and also attended the John Robert Powers School in Boston. She is survived by her siblings and their spouses: Kenneth P. and Ann of Wollaston, R. Barry and Karan of Norwell, Dennis B. and Geraldine of Hanover, Mary H. and Daniel of Wrentham, and Anne T. of Boston, as well as 13 nieces and nephews and 17 grandnieces and grandnephews. She was the sister of the late Edward B. Halloran.
A warm and loving friend, Mother Anne made many strong and lasting friendships in school and later on with the “girls” she worked with at the telephone company, “Ma Bell.” Wonderfully generous and competent, she took care of her younger siblings after their mother died, and her bond with her family has remained very strong over the years, embracing with ever expanding affection all her nieces, nephews, grandnieces, and grandnephews, and innumerable cousins as well. When her father remarried and Anna, affectionately known as Nana, took her place in the Halloran household and loved and cared for the family, Brenda was free to pursue her long desire to give herself to the Lord in the contemplative life of Carmel.
She entered Danvers Carmel on September 24, 1961, received the Carmelite habit on May 19, 1962 with the beautiful name of Sister Anne of the Mother of God, and made her vows the following year on August 15, 1963. In the monastery, she put her many gifts at the service of her sisters, whether in making their sandals for years, driving the mower/tractor, sewing vestments, cutting down trees, taking care of the infirm Sisters with the utmost thoughtfulness, or lifting the spirits of all with her wonderful sense of humor and quick wit. Mother Anne was elected Prioress of Danvers Carmel in 2001 and served with generosity and love until her death. She will be sorely missed by her Community, her family, and the many who knew her as a dear and loving friend.
Visiting hours will be in the Carmelite Monastery Chapel, 15 Mount Carmel Rd., Danvers on Wednesday, October 14 and Thursday, October 15, 2009 from 2-7PM. Her Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Friday, October 16, 2009 at 11AM in the Monastery Chapel. Burial will follow in the monastery cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Discalced Carmelite Monastery, 15 Mt. Carmel Rd., Danvers, MA 01923. Arrangements are by C.R. Lyons & Sons, Funeral Directors, 28 Elm St., Danvers Square. www.LyonsFuneral.com.