December 04, 2015

Sister Mary Ann Follmar; retired theology professor ‘touched the hearts of so many’

BY CHARLES C. JOYCE

Sister Mary Ann Follmar, a longtime Providence College theology professor who was respected as much as a scholar as she was for dedication to her ministry, died on Oct. 18, 2015, at Miriam Hospital in Providence.

IM follmar, with alum
Sister Mary Ann Follmar, right, with Mary Sullivan-Haller ’89 on campus in 1989.

The first woman to receive a doctorate in sacred theology (S.T.D.) from the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome, Sister Mary Ann taught at the College for 35 years. She retired from the Department of Theology in 2012.

Sister Mary Ann taught in the Undergraduate Day School and in the graduate program. She joined the faculty in the Religious Studies Department as a special lecturer in 1977 and taught part time until 1980, when she was named a full-time instructor. Sister Mary Ann was elevated to assistant professor in 1986 and continued teaching full time until 2001. She taught part time for the next 11 years until her retirement.

A scholar in the areas of spirituality and prayer, she taught several courses, including Growth in the Spiritual Life and History of Spirituality. Outside the classroom, she led many diocesan Marian days of prayer and study, and she lectured on Christian prayer. She often visited the sick and dying in local hospitals.

In the classroom, Sister Mary Ann exhibited a profound joy of teaching and admiration for her students. A lifelong friend, Dr. Mary Sullivan-Haller ’89, said Sister Mary Ann “touched the hearts of so many students over the years.”

Sullivan-Haller recalled that in 1985, her resident assistant at PC mentioned that she had Sister Mary Ann as a teacher and found Sister’s description of being “a bride of Christ” so inspiring that she wrote a poem about her thoughts.

Another student of Sister Mary Ann, named Mike, wrote on her online memorial page that she taught from “a place of love.”

Sullivan-Haller, who teaches English at Paul VI Catholic High School in Fairfax, Va., met Sister Mary Ann as a youth in Newport, R.I. Sister Mary Ann was working as a housekeeper at the rectory of St. Mary’s Parish when she met Sullivan-Haller’s parents, Daniel ’55 and Carolyn Sullivan. Sister Mary Ann was Sullivan-Haller’s Confirmation sponsor and, throughout their friendship, the two exchanged letters and visited one another when circumstances allowed.

In a reflection on Sister Mary Ann she wrote for All Saints Day in November, Sullivan-Haller recollected that, as a 7-year-old, she “had no way of knowing how gifted this incredibly intelligent and kind woman was.” She recalled Sister Mary Ann keeping a vigil at the bedside of Sullivan-Haller’s sister, Patty, who was dying, as well as reading from the Book of Tobit at Sullivan-Haller’s wedding.

“She was a constant reminder of discipleship,” she said. “I had … 40 years of learning how a holy person lives with joy in the midst of this world of human foibles, failings, and sorrows.”

Born in Jamaica, Long Island, N.Y., Sister Mary Ann graduated from Aquinas High School in La Crosse, Wisc. She earned a bachelor’s degree from Viterbo University in La Crosse in 1964 and a master’s degree from Marquette University a year later. She studied at Gregorian University from 1969-73, earning both a licentiate in sacred theology (S.T.L.) and her doctorate in sacred theology (S.T.D.). In 1975, she received the Consecration of a Virgin decree in Vatican City.

Sister Mary Ann, who also taught at Viterbo University from 1965-69, was a columnist for the National Catholic Register and wrote several books, including The Steps of Love In the Dialogue of St. Catherine of Siena (Saint Bede’s Publications; 1987) and The Marian Spirit in the Church (Peace, 1991).

Sister Mary Ann is survived by a brother, Rev. Joseph Follmar; a sister, Rose Jurgens; two nephews and their families; and a niece.

Her Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on Oct. 22 in St. Pius Church, adjacent to the College campus. Burial was in St. Francis Cemetery, Pawtucket, R.I.