Sister Profile

Sister Mary Ann Phelan

Formerly Sister Marie Marcella

Biography

Sister Mary Ann is a native of Baltimore, Maryland. Currently, she ministers as a volunteer receptionist at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods.

Sister Mary Ann, formerly Sister Marie Marcella, entered the Congregation on July 22, 1955. She professed final vows on August 15, 1963.

She graduated from Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College with a bachelor’s degree in social studies.

Sister Mary Ann spent four years promoting the cause of the beatification and canonization of Mother Theodore.

In addition, she ministered at Woods Day Care and helped raise capital for the facility.

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Sister Mary Ann is featured in the following content on the Sisters of Providence website:

Twenty-one Sisters of Providence celebrate Senior Jubilees

Photographs

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Sister Kathleen Leonard (center) poses with her former teachers Sister Mary Ann Phelan (left) and Sister Dorothy Ellen Wolsiffer. All three celebrated Jubilees in 2025.

Sister Mary Ann Phelan (center) with General Councilor Sister Carole Kimes (left) and General Superior Sister Dawn Tomaszewski.

Sister celebrating 70 years with the Congregation this year included (front, from left) Sister Ann-Margaret O’Hara, Sister Margaret Quinlan, Sister Suzanne Dailey and Sister Mary Ann Phelan along with (back, left) Sister Alice Ann Rhinesmith and (back, second from right and far right) Sister Jean Fuqua and Sister Ann Matilda Holloran. They are photographed with (back, second from left) General Councilor Sister Anne Therese Falkenstein, Vicar/General Treasurer Sister Jeanne Hagelskamp, General Superior Sister Dawn Tomaszewski, and General Councilors Sister Laura Parker and Sister Carole Kimes. Not photographed: Sister Josephine Bryan.

Many of the Sisters of Providence who volunteer in the Providence Hall phone room included (seated) Sister Mary Joan Schaefer and (standing, from left) Sisters Kay Manley, Dorothy Gartland, Barbara Bluntzer, Mary Ann Phelan, Carolyn Bouchard, Noralee Keefe, Carol Lindly, Lucille Lechner, Claire Hanson, Carol Nolan and Donna Butler.

(From left) Sister Lawrence Ann Liston, Sister Suzanne Dailey, Sister Mary Ann Phelan, Sister Donna Butler and Sister Editha Ben display a 5,000-piece puzzle in Providence Hall.