Date of death: 2/17/2012
Saint Meinrad Class: SS 1976
Formerly Sister Ann Patrick, Sister Ann died at St. Joseph Center in Tipton. Patricia Ann Weller was born in Miami, Fla., on Sept. 5, 1927, to Garl Washington Weller and Anne Margaret (Bailey) Weller.Ann’s mother died soon after the last of her five children was born, and Ann and her siblings were raised in the homes of various relatives. The family kept the children in close contact as much as possible. Ann and her brother, Bill, were raised in Elwood by their Aunt Mildred Bailey and her dear friend, Bede Beldauf. Patricia attended St. Joseph’s School in Elwood and graduated from Elwood High School. Following graduation, she was employed by the telegraph office in Elwood, delivering telegrams on her bicycle.Patricia Ann entered the community of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Tipton on Sept. 1, 1946, and was given the name Sister Ann Patrick. She professed her final vows on July 2, 1952. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in education and music from St. Joseph College in Rensselaer, a Master of Science degree in music and physical education from Indiana State University in Terre Haute, and a Master of Arts degree in religious education from Saint Meinrad School of Theology in St. Meinrad. As a teacher, Sister Ann endeared herself to students at St. John’s School in Tipton; St. Paul’s and Bennett High School in Marion, and St. Joseph Academy in Tipton. She served as religious education coordinator at St. Joseph Parish in Elwood and also in the Office of Pastoral Councils for the Diocese of Lafayette in Indiana.In 1982, Sister Ann established the Neighbor House in Kokomo, where she tutored both children and adults and ministered to families in the area. Sister Ann worked very closely with the Kokomo-Center Township School Corp., and was instrumental in seeing that young pregnant women were allowed to continue their high school education. She provided needed transportation and encouraged young men and women to pursue their studies at Indiana University Kokomo, Ivy Tech, and various trade schools. Sister Ann also served on the Leadership Council for the Sisters in Tipton.In 1990, Sister Ann responded with enthusiasm to a request from Bishop Higi of the Diocese of Lafayette to cosponsor, with the diocese, an outreach program in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. She was instrumental in establishing Hospice St. Joseph and, as its co-director, ministered among the Haitian people with great love and zeal. Often finding herself in the midst of civil unrest and danger, Ann never wavered from commitment to those she served, regardless of the personal cost to herself.In 2002, diminishing health necessitated her return to her Sisters at St. Joseph Center in Tipton, where she continued reaching out to sisters, residents and staff with her cheerful and life-giving presence. Throughout her life she advocated for the poor and disadvantaged of the world.She is survived by a sister, Jeanne (Leon) Bendit, South Bend; three sister-in-laws; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.She was preceded in death by her parents and brothers, Stephen Weller, Paul Weller and William Weller.Visitation for Sister Ann Weller will be at St. Joseph Center in Tipton beginning at 4 p.m. Wednesday with a Prayer Service of Remembrance at 6 p.m. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Thursday, with visitation an hour before the Mass with Bishop William Higi officiating and Father Patrick Keith Hosey as homilist. Burial will be in the cemetery at St. Joseph Center following the Mass. Young-Nichols Funeral Home is handling arrangements.