She was known always for her ready laugh, her generosity, her warm-hearted kindness. Passionate in her love for music and sports, she also treasured her close relationships with family and friends.
Mary Ann Linhoff was born in St. Charles, Mo., on July 16, 1933—just minutes before her identical twin, Rose Mary. Her parents, Robert and Frances (Reiling) Linhoff, raised their seven children in a devout Catholic home. Mary Ann graduated from St. Peter’s Grade School (1947) and High School (1951) in St. Charles; she sang in the choir and glee club and played trombone and baritone in band.
She entered the Sisters of St. Mary August 2, 1951 (her twin, Rose Mary, entered the School Sisters of Notre Dame 28 days later). She received the name Sr. Rose Mary, and she professed final vows February 11, 1957. (In 1987 the Sisters of St. Mary and the Sisters of St. Francis of Maryville, Mo., reunited as the Franciscan Sisters of Mary.)
She earned a bachelor’s in Medical Technology from Saint Louis University in 1958, and a certificate in Religious Formation in 1983, also from Saint Louis University.
She loved working as one of the “laboratory sisters.” She served as a student at Cardinal Glennon Children’s Medical Center and St. Mary’s Health Center, then in 1958 became laboratory supervisor at Firmin Desloge Hospital. She served at St. Francis Hospital, Blue Island, Ill. (1960–1962; 1986–1991); St. Mary’s Hospital, Kansas City (1962–1967); St. Mary’s Hospital, Madison, Wis. (1967–1970); and St. Eugene’s Hospital, Dillon, S.C. (1971–1981). For four years she served as vocation director at the motherhouse, then returned in 1985 to St. Eugene’s. In 1991 she joined the staff at St. Francis Hospital, Litchfield, Ill., until she returned to St. Louis in 1995.
She continued to care for others, volunteering at Almost Home (a transitional home for homeless teen mothers and their children), working as an activities aide at St. Elizabeth Adult Day Care in Maplewood for two years, serving as a home care aide for CSJ Care (1998–2009). She continued to care for elder FSM, bringing them to doctors’ appointments and visiting the infirm.
For her 60th jubilee as an FSM, she wrote: “I thank the Lord for choosing me to be a woman religious. I am grateful to live in the Gospel, following Jesus and inspired by the Holy Spirit.”
On January 30, 2013, Sr. Mary Ann joined her beloved Lord and her dear twin for all eternity.
