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Sister Mary Annette Dworshak, SNJM
Sister Beatrice Ann
September 6, 1942 – June 16, 2025
Sister Mary Annette Dworshak, SNJM departed this life on June 16, 2025 in Seattle, Washington.
Sister Mary Annette celebrated 82 years of life and 57 years of her religious profession.
A Mass of Resurrection will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, June 27, 2025, at St. Joseph Church in Seattle, Washington.
Inurnment will take place at a later date at Holy Cross Cemetery in Spokane, Washington.
Sister Mary Annette Dworshak, SNJM
September 6, 1942 – June 16, 2025
Sister Mary Annette Dworshak, SNJM, 82, died on June 16, 2025, in Seattle, Washington. The Mass of Resurrection is Friday, June 27, 10am, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Seattle. Inurnment will take place at a later date at Holy Cross Cemetery in Spokane.
Mary Annette grew up in Miles City, Montana, with parents Raymond and Beatrice (Matyshoke) Dworshak and younger sister Bernadette. Her family had a deep religious tradition, which included several nuns, priests and even a bishop. In this vein, her father, Ray, a farmer who married later in life, made the decision along with his wife Bea, to sell the farm he had homesteaded, find employment, and move into town so the girls, then ages five and three, could attend Catholic school.
Later, Bea, a former teacher, was urged to teach at the school and became the first lay teacher on the faculty with the Ursuline Sisters who ran the school. Mary Annette recalled that the family agreement was that at school her mother was the teacher and at home she was Mom.
In grade and high school Mary Annette was very involved in music. She took piano lessons from a young age. Eventually, her mother had her accompany school music classes and singing programs. Later one of the Sisters trained Mary Annette to help with parish liturgies. As early as seventh grade, she was called on by the parish to play the organ and gather some of girls to sing for the smaller weddings or funerals.
Following her high school graduation, Mary Annette chose to attend Holy Names College, Spokane. During this time the college transitioned to its new campus on the former Fort Wright property. She loved the opportunity to help build the college community at the new site.
In 1964, graduating from Fort Wright College of the Holy Names with a B.A. in Literature and History, Mary Annette entered the novitiate of the Sisters of the Holy Names at Marylhurst, Oregon. On completing her novitiate in Oregon, she returned to Spokane for further studies. Having been asked by the Community to pursue a master’s degree in philosophy, she enrolled in Gonzaga University, completed her studies, and embarked on her long, vibrant ministry career as a teacher and justice advocate.
Her first appointment was as an English and religion teacher at Holy Names Academy, Spokane. After five years she began a 47-year career at Seattle’s Holy Names Academy where Mary Annette is remembered as an inspiring teacher with high academic standards, a belief that women are capable of strong leadership and influence, and as an advocate for her students.
Rooted in an intense commitment to justice and peace, Mary Annette cared deeply about the Earth and water, the ethical treatment of migrants and refugees, and the eradication of human trafficking. She took every opportunity to educate and inspire others to get involved in justice work, including her ministry at Holy Names Academy, her parish, and her service on the Holy Names Sisters’ province and congregational justice networks.
In addition, she taught classes on the History of the Church USA for the Catechetical Certification Program of the Archdiocese of Seattle and participated in “Call to Vietnam” helping the Sisters of the Lovers of the Holy Cross in Hue, Vietnam, improve their English conversation.
One of her personal loves was writing poetry. In poetry she found a way to connect with God, to explore her family history and to observe and share the wonderment and uniqueness of the world around her.
Even as her health declined, Mary Annette found new ways to connect with family, friends, and fellow advocates for justice and peace through technology and to build relationships with her new community at Murano Senior Living Residence.
A Holy Names Sister for 58 years, Mary Annette is survived by her sister Bernadette Humes, her niece Lisa Stanfield and nephew David Humes and their families, her extended Dworshak and Matyshoke families and the members of her religious community. Remembrances may be made to Sisters of the Holy Names, PO Box 398, Marylhurst, OR 97036 or online at www.snjmusontario.org/donate.