Sister Ann Clement Voegerl

“The Lord is my shepherd … .” (Psalm 23:1)

“We Sisters of Providence extend our sincere condolences to Sister Ann Clement’s family and friends,” began Sister Maria Smith in her commentary for Sister Ann Clement Voegerl, who died Oct. 13.

Born Dorothy Veronica Voegerl Jan. 1, 1928, in St. Anthony, Ind., she was one of nine children of Clement and Anna (Wigand) Voegerl. She attended grade school and high school at St. Joseph in Jasper, Ind.

“Sister Ann Clement came to Saint Mary-of-the-Woods as a commercial girl, and at the age of 16, she asked to enter the Congregation. She took her first vows July 22, 1944, and professed her final vows Jan. 23, 1952,” said Sister Maria.

“Sister Ann Clement’s journey as a cook began in 1947 in the priest’s house at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods,” continued Sister Maria. She would spend a total of 22 years throughout her ministry in this position. “She told me that was her favorite assignment,” shared Sister Maria.

“This is where I first met Sister Ann Clement. I helped with the dishes after meals. We were accused of laughing so loud they could hear us all over the house. Can you imagine that? Sister Ann Clement made wonderful caramels, and some sisters used to stop by to visit. She said she wondered if they just came for the caramels!” continued Sister Maria.

Sister Ann Clement also served as a cook at Ladywood and St. Agnes, Indianapolis; Marywood, Evanston, Ill.; and Marywood, Anaheim, Calif. She spent 15 years in a variety of housekeeping and food service roles at Providence Retirement Home in New Albany, Ind.

“When Sister Ann Clement was assigned to Providence Retirement Home, she began to spread her wings,” said Sister Maria. “She was a housekeeper and a laundress. As she waited in the laundry room for the wash cycle to end, she would frequently catch up on her reading of novels. In a few years, she was promoted to executive housekeeper. She resembled a white tornado darting around and examining every inch of the Providence Retirement Home.

“Due to health reasons, Sister Ann Clement resigned from housekeeping. Sister Barbara Ann Zeller encouraged her to get her GED. She then encouraged her to go to school to update her culinary arts skills. This was 44 years after entering the Congregation that she went back to school and graduated with honors. She was so proud,” continued Sister Maria.

In 1993, Sister Ann Clement served in food service at Providence House, New Albany, which housed the foster care program. She later ministered as an intergenerational sitter/companion. In 1996, she returned to the Woods and ministered in health-care transportation and the Providence Co-op.

“To Sister Ann Clement’s family, she will always be known as Dots or Aunt Dots. She loved her family and enjoyed spending time with them. Because she was so young when she left home, some children were born after she entered the Congregation. She especially enjoyed weekends when her brothers and sisters got together at the lake or park and played cards, sometimes even before they ate breakfast. These weekends caught her up on all the family stories,” said Sister Maria.

“Goodbye, Sister Ann Clement — Dots — we will miss you, but what joy you are now experiencing,” said Sister Marie.

The Mass of Christian Burial for Sister Ann Clement was celebrated Oct. 17 with the Rev. Daniel Hopcus presiding. She is survived by all her siblings except one brother.