Born Aug. 19, 1896, in Louisville, Ky., Anna Jeanette was the daughter of Martin and Kate Cain McCue. Very little is known about her early life but as a young adult, Anna was very involved in social justice issues and knowledgeable about politics and national issues. At the age of 30, Anna entered the Mount Saint Joseph novitiate. She received the Ursuline habit on March 19, 1928, and the name Sister Mary Celeste.
Beginning in 1929 through 1962 , Sister Mary Celeste ministered at Mount Saint Joseph in several capacities for long periods at various times. She served as typist for community administration, coached dramatics and taught in the commercial department of the Academy, was assistant bookeeper to the community treasurer, postmistress at Maple Mount Post Office, and postal clerk.
Sister Mary Celeste’s retirement years, beginning in 1962, were spent in the infirmary, suffering from arteriosclerosis. She died on July 8, 1966. Father Sebastian McDonald, CP, celebrated the funeral Mass two days later. Sister’s remains are buried in the convent cemetery.
In 1967, a year after Sister’s death, a donation was made to the Mount Saint Joseph Ursulines by the Kappa Delta Phi Sorority in Sister’s honor. In 1925, prior to entering the Ursuline Community, Sister Mary Celeste was one of the founders of the Kappa Delta Phi Sorority, serving as its first local and national president. The purpose of the sorority was advocating justice and empowerment for minority groups. Throughout her life, Sister Mary Celeste continued her deep interest in the promotion of a just and compassionate society. In 2025, following the conclusion of a 100th anniversary conference for Kappa Delta Phi in Louisville, three members of the sorority drove to Maple Mount to visit Sister Mary Celeste’s grave for the first time.