Elizabeth Beatrice Wathen was born to Linus and Beatrice Gribbon Wathen in Calvary, Ky., on Nov. 5, 1909. She was one of five children, two of whom died in infancy. The mother died when Elizabeth was 9years old, leaving her grief-stricken, as was her father who was left with three small children. Mr. Wathen married Annabel Ewing and their union was blessed with six children.
Elizabeth began her formal education at Caney Creek School in September 1915. She finished the fourth grade there, then attended Pope Creek School. August 8,1930, Elizabeth entered the novitiate at Mount Saint Joseph to prepare for the life of an Ursuline. On March 19, 1931, she received the Ursuline habit and the name Sister Margaret Ann.
After professing first vows in 1933, she was assigned as housekeeper to the Ursuline missions in Howardstown, Owensboro, Flaherty, Waverly, St. Francis and Buechel in Kentucky, and to Bow Valley, Neb. She made a comfortable home for the Sisters on each mission and supported their work in the school. She made it a point to know pupils by name and showed interest in their success. Her summers were spent attending secondary classes and college courses at Brescia College. In 1968, she obtained a provisional elementary teacher certificate, and was assigned to Hillsboro, Mo.; Central City, Leitchfield, and Holy Cross, Ky., and Farmington, N.M.
In 1979, Sister retired to the Motherhouse where she served in many capacities — driver for the community, as sacristan, in housekeeping and tending the greenhouse. She shared her many talents whenever, wherever needed. Going to the park across the road to fish in the lake was her favorite relaxation.
Sister spent Wednesday, May 1, 1996, actively accomplishing her many chores. As usual, after 6:30 evening prayer in the chapel, Sister Margaret Ann went to her room. A Sister visiting her around 8 p.m., found that she had died minutes earlier, sitting in her chair.
The funeral Mass was celebrated by Father Anthony Shonis, chaplain, on May 4, 1996. Sister’s remains are buried in the convent cemetery.