Anne Herkenrath, SNJM

Sister Anne was born Aurelia Anne Herkenrath in Seattle, Washington, daughter of Leon and Aurelia (Casey) Herkenrath. The idea of a vocation was always with her because both sides of her family had members in religious communities, both nuns and priests. In fact, at the time Anne entered ten members of her family from three generations were Holy Names Sisters!

After graduating from Holy Names Academy, Seattle, Anne attended Seattle University for a year before entering the Holy Names novitiate in Marylhurst, Oregon, on July 25, 1949. The next February, she became a novice and received her religious name, Sister Mary Leonore, a name she chose in honor of her father and brother, both of whom were named Leon. She professed temporary vows in August 1951 and made final vows in 1956.

Over the years, she received a degree in education from Holy Names College in Spokane and a degree in physical education from Eastern Washington University in Cheney, Washington.

Sister Anne’s first assignment was teaching fifth grade at St. Aloysius School in Spokane before moving to other SNJM schools in the Northwest.

After eleven years, she moved to Seattle to teach high school at Holy Names Academy, where she remained until 1974. For Sister Anne, after-school hours with the students—sports, camping trips, service experiences—were as equally significant as classroom instruction in building relationships with students and supporting their social, spiritual, and emotional growth.

When Sister Anne left education, she served as the director of retired and semi-retired Sisters in Spokane. In 1982 she moved to St. James Cathedral Parish in Seattle to assist with ministry to the elderly. As her role expanded, she became Pastoral Associate for the parish.

Sister Anne’s great hope for many years has been the canonization of her great uncle, Blessed Solanus Casey, a Capuchin Franciscan priest, who was beatified in 2017. This April 2026, the Capuchins honored and accepted Sister Anne as a Capuchin Franciscan affiliate in recognition of her contributions to the process of canonization of Blessed Solanus. The letter of acceptance noted: “There are no words to express our gratitude for your generous service. Your ‘annual’ presence in our Community has been greatly appreciated. You have a unique role in relationship in the beatification of our Brother, Solanus Casey, and your continued relationship with the friars.”

Celebrating her 75th anniversary as a Sister of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary, Sister Anne now resides at Mary’s Woods at Marylhurst, Lake Oswego, Oregon, where she continues to share her spirit of life, joy and beauty.