Born on Feb. 12, 1933, in St. Louis, she entered the Sisters of Christian Charity convent on Aug. 28, 1947. She was received into the novitiate on Aug. 21, 1949, and was given the name Sister Carol. She made first vows on Aug. 21, 1951, and perpetual profession on Aug. 20, 1957.

Her first ministry was teaching grade school. She taught in Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota and New Orleans through 1970. Then, Sister Mary Ann — as she was now known — began working in the St. Thomas Housing Project in New Orleans. From 1975-77, she was religion coordinator at Marywood in Folsom, La.

In 1977, Sister Mary Ann returned to St. Louis. She taught at St. Boniface School (1977-83) and became principal there for another four years. She served as principal at Resurrection School for three years (1987-90) and taught sixth grade there in the 1990-91 school year. Another assignment to New Orleans – this time as principal of St. Francis School – followed.

In 1994, she started a new ministry, studying for two years toward certification in hospital clinical pastoral education. In 1996, she began her work as pastoral minister; the next year she began working at Cori Manor. In 2001, she moved to Loretto Center and was ministering at St. Mary Hospital. During this time she also began serving as a member on the Board of St. Vincent Home for Children. In 2009, Sister Mary Ann began part-time ministry at St. Anthony Medical Center. In a newspaper interview, she said, "I spend most of my time in the intensive care units and the emergency department because patients there are the ones most in need."

Sister Mary Ann received the diagnosis of pancreatic cancer on Sept. 8. On Oct. 30, she traveled to Sacred Heart Convent in Wilmette via Mission #509 of the "Grace on Wings" flights.