Sister Anne Boyer – 75th Jubilee

Written on: July 10, 2025

Sister Anne Boyer (Sister Mary Mark)

Sister Anne Boyer is a North Country girl, fortunate to have been born and raised in Ogdensburg, New York, as one of ten children in her family. She was also fortunate that the Grey Nuns have always been a part of her life: the Grey Nuns of Ottawa taught her in grade school, and the Grey Nuns of the Sacred Heart taught her in high school.

Her journey as a Grey Nun educator led her to Christ the King School in Atlanta, Georgia, where she served as an elementary school teacher. She then returned home to St. Mary’s for several years before moving to Holy Angels Academy in Buffalo, where she taught English and history. At D’Youville College, she served as a financial aid counselor and later as assistant dean of the Arts and Sciences Department. Following a course in clinical pastoral education, she spent many years in pastoral ministry at Claxton Hepburn Memorial Hospital in Ogdensburg.

Now retired at The Lafayette in Philadelphia, she remains active by teaching computer skills and ESL (English as a Second Language) as part of a program called Welcoming the Stranger. This role has provided her with the opportunity to assist Vietnamese religious sisters—long distance—with reading and writing skills, an endeavor that has been both challenging and deeply rewarding. They remain in contact with her, and she enjoys seeing their continued improvement with each exchange.

In another outreach effort, Sister Anne has cultivated a significant email list of nearly 100 family members, sisters, and friends in support of the University of South Carolina’s elite women’s basketball team, where her niece Lisa serves as associate head coach. During the season, Sister Anne takes on the role of an unofficial PR person, sharing information on opponents, schedules, and even network access tips with a growing community of supporters.

Sister Anne reflects that a special grace in her life has been the ability to find happiness in whatever she was called to do and wherever she was sent. “Reflecting on these 75 years,” she says, “I am grateful for all whom I met along my journey—those who befriended me and those who challenged me.”

This entry was posted in Matters of Faith and tagged: Sister Anne Boyer