Anna Roberta was born December 14, 1902, the daughter of Robert and Anna Cash of Fancy Farm, Kentucky, one of 12 children. A weak and nervous child, she was unable to attend much regular school with the Sisters of Charity at Fancy Farm. At the advice of her physician, Anna Roberta enrolled at Mount Saint Joseph Academy when she was in the seventh grade and remained until graduation from high school. At age 21, she returned to Mount Saint Joseph and entered the novitiate. Anna Roberta received the Ursuline habit and the name Sister Ann Rita on March 19, 1926.
Sister Anne Rita was a teacher of the primary grades throughout her many years in the classroom. Her first mission was St. Alphonsus School across the road from Mount Saint Joseph Academy. She was then assigned to St. Columba in Louisville, and to St. Romuald in Hardinsburg. In 1933, she was missioned to Waterflow, New Mexico for 11 years. She came back to Kentucky and spent six years at St. Charles, Lebanon. In 1954, Sister was assigned to Seven Holy Founders School in Affton Missouri. She then spent one year at Knottsville; another five years at St. Charles, Lebanon; and six years at St. Bartholomew in Buechel. From 1980 to 1986, Sister Ann Rita ministered to the poor in Louisville while residing at St. Boniface Retirement Center.
Sister Anne Rita retired in 1986 and returned to Mount Saint Joseph. Although her health had weakened, she retained her independence by using a three-pronged cane for visiting sisters throughout the convent and walking outdoors. On October 10, 1991, Sister Anne Rita suffered a massive stroke, became comatose and lingered only one day. Her funeral Mass was celebrated at St. Alphonsus Church on October 12 by Father Richard Cash, a nephew, who also gave the homily. (The chapel at Mount Saint Joseph underwent major renovation between July 1991 and July 1992. The funerals of sisters who died between these dates were held at St. Alphonsus Church). Sister Anne Rita’s remains are buried in the convent cemetery. Sister Henrietta Cash and Sister Robert Ann Cash, Sisters of Charity of Nazareth, were among her survivors.