Lawrence, MA- Sister Claire Ann Torla died peacefully on Thursday, December 23, 2010 at the Lawrence General Hospital in Massachusetts in the 67th year of life and the 48th year of religious life.
Claire Ann Torla was born on October 26, 1943 in Lawrence, Massachusetts to the late Michael and the late Helen (Zube) Torla. On August 22, 1957 Sr. Claire Ann entered the aspirancy of the Franciscan Sisters of St. Joseph. On August 30, 1960 she became a postulant and on August 2, 1965 Sister Claire Ann professed her final vows.
Sister Claire Ann received a Bachelor’s degree in Education from D’Youville College in Buffalo, New York and a Masters degree in Teaching Science from Boston College in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts.
For thirty years, Sister Claire Ann ministered in the field of education at St. Francis of Assisi Elementary School, Athol Springs, NY; Holy Trinity Elementary School, Niagara Falls, NY; Hilbert College, Hamburg, NY; and Immaculata Academy, Hamburg, NY. Simultaneously, from 1986 – 1990, Sister Claire Ann also served as Third Councilor and General Secretary at the Motherhouse; and in 1990, Sister was re-elected as Third Councilor. From 1995 – 2004, Sr. Claire Ann served as the Facilities Manager Supervisor at Immaculate Conception Convent and in 2004 – 2010, Sister was the Accommodations Coordinator for the Motherhouse.
Sister Claire Ann lived “In all things Charity” everyday of her life. Meeting the needs of others was a priority for Sister and the list was endless: helping our sisters and their families in whatever way she could; inviting the sisters to sign Christmas cards that would be sent to servicemen and shut-ins; tending to the FSSJ cemetery, especially Mother Colette’s grave site; sharing her love of nature by giving geraniums and other flowers she so lovingly cared for; beautifying the Motherhouse grotto; everyday offerings of a “Hello” and “God bless you” with both sisters and employees. Never without a small pencil and piece of paper, Sister Claire Ann remembered what others needed and kept track of her many creative ideas. As one sister so eloquently put it, “Asking if there was anything she could do was her theme song.”
Sister Claire Ann is survived by her brothers Michael (Kathy); Bernard (Joan) and James. Sister is also survived by many aunts,uncles,nieces, nephews and cousins.
ARRANGEMENTS: Relatives and friends are invited to pay their respects on Tuesday, December 28th from 3-6 p.m. at the Kenneth H. Pollard Funeral Home 233 Lawrence St., Methuen. A Mass of Christian burial will be offered at St. Monica’s Church in Methuen on Wednesday at 11 a.m. Burial will be at St. Stanislaus Cemetery in Cheektowaga, New York. Memorial donations may be made to the Franciscan Sisters of St. Joseph Retirement Fund in memory of Sr. Claire Ann, 5229 South Park Avenue, Hamburg, NY 14075