Sr. Anne Rush, S.H.C.J.

Anne Rush, SHCJ

July 8, 1924 - April 19, 2020

Educator, Health Care Aide, Administrator

Rosemont, Pennsylvania – Anne Rush, SHCJ, who was a Sister of the Holy Child Jesus for 74 years, died on Sunday, April 19, 2020. She was 95.

As the firstborn of eight children, Sister Anne learned at an early age from her mother how to care for her siblings. Later on, it was her mother who supported her vocation, despite the strong objections of her father. Sister Anne’s life has reflected both the strength and kindness of her mother.

Sister Anne was educated at Most Blessed Sacrament School and West Catholic Girls High School in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. At West Catholic, she was inspired by the integrity of the Holy Child Sisters. After high school graduation, she worked for two years before entering the Society of the Holy Child Jesus in 1945. She was greatly relieved when her father accepted her vocation once he knew that she was happy.

Sister Anne was indeed happy to be teaching little ones for a total of 27 years at Saint Elizabeth School in New York City (1947-1956); Saint Lucy School (1956-1967) and Saint Leonard’s Academy (1969-1970) in Philadelphia; and Holy Spirit School in Sharon Hill, Pennsylvania (1970-1974).

In 1973, Sister Anne was called to a new ministry. For 15 years, she loved and cared for the older Sisters at Cornelian House in Sharon Hill and Holy Child Center in Rosemont. Sister Anne then directed the Cornelia Connelly Association, a group of individuals who made vestments to send to missions worldwide. As the need for vestments dwindled, the Association ended its 74 years of service.

From 2000-2014, Sister Anne was a member of the Holy Child Sisters’ community at Saint Eugene Parish in Primos, Pennsylvania. These were happy years for her. Sister Anne’s prayerful presence and cheerful participation won the hearts of the parishioners. When she moved to Holy Child Center in 2014, Sister Anne could be counted on to pray for special intentions with the same cheerfulness and devotion that has characterized her entire apostolic life.

Sister Anne earned a Bachelor of Science in Education from Villanova University in 1956, and a Master of Childhood Education from Boston College in 1973.

She joins her parents Catherine (Pawley) and Joseph Rush and siblings Joseph and James in eternal rest. She is survived by her sisters Mary Herrschaft and Catherine Mason; brothers John, William, and Thomas; and many nieces, nephews, and grandnieces and grandnephews.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to the Society of the Holy Child Jesus – American Province, 1341 Montgomery Avenue, Rosemont, PA 19010, or donate online at www.shcj.org/american/donate .