Archbishop's web site Denver Catholic Register Parishes Catholic Pastoral Center
December 5, 2001
Sister Annarose Griffin, O.S.F., dies at 94
Musician, author, teacher
Sister Annarose Griffin died Oct. 17 at Marion Franciscan Center in Milwaukee. She was 94.
Georgia Griffin was born in Mead, Colo., Aug. 7, 1907, to John and Mahala Griffin. Her sisters, (all deceased), were Ellen and Anna Giffin, Mary Biederman, Gertrude Milner, and Cleva O'Hayre. She was baptized in Guardian Angels Church in Mead.
Love of God and of music filled her life. Music was an integral part of her family life and she often told stories of her father's musical talents.
Niece Gloria O'Hayre, 61, of Lakewood recalled Sister Annarose saying, "Papa was an excellent fiddler. He played the fiddle at home and at county dances for neighbors and friends. His quick Irish wit and his music filled our family's free time with great entertainment."
O'Hayre added that her aunt also said that in order to attend Mass each Sunday, "Papa drove us in his wagon pulled by a team of horses to St. John Baptist Church in Longmont. It took several hours for us to get there from Mead and we fasted from midnight — not even a drop of water — in order to receive Communion. Mama packed a picnic lunch, which we enjoyed after Mass. We sang all the way to town and back home again."
Georgia Griffin entered the Sisters of St. Francis of Assisi at their Motherhouse in St. Francis, Wis., on Aug. 11, 1926, at 19. When she entered the convent her superior asked her what she wanted to do.
"Love God and teach music" was her answer, O'Hayre said. The following year she received the name Sister Annarose. She professed her vows in 1929.
During her 61 years of active ministry, she taught piano at a number of schools in Wisconsin and Illinois, including St. Mary's Academy, Milwaukee (1929-1930).
While actively teaching music at St. Ann's school in Chicago Heights, Ill., she advanced her own education by earning bachelor's and master's of music degrees from the American Conservatory of Music, Chicago.
After completing her degrees, she taught for eight years in Eagle River, Wis. She was then assigned as professor of music at Cardinal Strich University, Milwaukee, in 1941, and remained there for 51 years until 1992. While on the faculty there she composed and published several books of music for young piano students.
Sister Annarose co-founded the Milwaukee Area Piano Teachers'Association (MAPA) which honored her on its 40th Anniversary in 1995.
After her retirement from Cardinal Strich in 1992, she continued to teach piano privately for six more years until 1998.
Sister Annarose is survived by the Sisters of St. Francis of Assisi with whom she shared life for 75 years; a beloved close friend and colleague, Sister Romana Hertel; numerous nieces and nephews; and close friends.
Services were held Oct. 22 at the Motherhouse in St. Francis, Wis. Burial was in Holy Sepulcher Cemetery, Cudahy, Wis.
Contributions in her memory may be made to the Sisters of St. Francis of Assisi Memorial Fund, Motherhouse, 3221 S. Lake Drive, Milwaukee, WI 53235-3799.
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