Associate Nancy Van Anne December 16, 1927 – August 26, 2024, Accepted March 25, 1984
“I have loved and admired Nancy Van Anne for 30+ years in Colorado and here (Iowa),” shared BVM Josette Kelley on the passing of her friend. Similar sentiments are expressed by several BVM sisters and associates who knew Nancy.
Nancy Van Anne was a powerful presence in the associate relationship whether she was in a leadership role or not. For much of her life, she was a professor of physical education and a close friend of BVM Betty Voss. Even before applying to start discernment toward becoming a BVM affiliate, Nancy knew many sisters at Mundelein, Kenmore, Chicago, and Colorado. She even stayed with BVMs in New York during the UN Nuclear Disarmament Talks in 1982, two years before she became an affiliate.
Nancy was known as a person of great spirituality, a deep commitment to her students, her parish, the people she served at Friends of a Woman’s Place, and a heart that was always seeking to discern her next ministry. She was a tireless social justice advocate and passionate about women’s roles needing to be expanded in the church.
She celebrated living her “single life” stating, “I think the challenge in the single life is to use the freedom afforded by the style in an unselfish way, and to utilize the solitude to deepen one’s spiritual life.”
Nancy served as an associate coordinator together with her dear friend BVM Betty Voss, starting in 2001. This marked the first time an associate was named to that role. Together, they served the BVM community well. They created a discernment workbook and implemented many of the traditions still carried out today.
Services for Nancy include:
Associate Prayer Service at Mount Carmel Bluffs, 10:45-11:30, September 5, 2024, Mary Frances Clarke Chapel and by video stream https://stream.prestosports.com/bvmsisters
In-person Services Include:
Rosary at St. Mary Catholic Church in Greeley at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 12; the church will be opened at 6:30 p.m.
Funeral Mass at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Greeley at 9:30 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 13.
Reception following Mass at St. Peter. This will not be broadcast.
Inurnment at Sunset Memorial Gardens at 12:00 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 13.
This is the link to Nancy’s website: