Sister Mary Ann Lechner, 92
Sister Mary Ann Lechner died on February 1, 2022, in Union Hospital, Terre Haute.
She was born Feb. 8, 1929 in Jasper to Silas and Theresia Hopf Lechner.
She entered the congregation of the Sisters of Providence on January 8, 1947, and was given the name Sister Robert Ann.
She professed Final Vows Aug. 15, 1954. She earned a bachelor’s degree from St. Mary-of-the-Woods College and a master’s degree from Indiana State University. Of her 75 years as a Sister of Providence, she ministered as a teacher for 48 years in schools in Indiana and Illinois.
She taught at St. Joseph School in Terre Haute from 1954 to 1956. Retiring from teaching in 1997, she volunteered as GED coordinator for five years at the Hispanic Center in Indianapolis and then worked as a financial assistant for four years at LaPlaza, an organization that united the Hispanic Center with two other Latino support groups in Indianapolis. In 2010, she returned to the Motherhouse and was a volunteer receptionist at Woods Day Care until its closing.
She is survived by two sisters, Elizabeth Bormann of Dennison, Illinois and Eileen Lauka of Temecula, California.
She is preceded in death by four sisters, Sister Rita Lechner, SP, Martina Peters, Dorothy Fleck and Helen Meyers; and one brother, Robert Lechner.
Mass of Christian burial was on her 93rd birthday, February 8, 2022, with Rev. Terry Johnson presiding. Burial is in the cemetery of the Sisters of Providence. DeBaun Funeral Homes and Crematory assisted with arrangements. Memorial contributions may be made to the Sisters of Providence, 1 Sisters of Providence, Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, IN 47876.
