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Born January 2, 1925, Latonia, Kentucky Entered St. Walburg Monastery, December 27, 1941 Received habit, June 29, 1942 First Profession, June 30, 1943 Died February 22, 2010 |
Sister Juanita Anneken, OSB (Alvera) was born in Latonia, Kentucky on January 2, 1925, the seventh of nine children, five girls and three boys. Four of these girls became Benedictine Sisters. Sr. Juanita joined her three older sisters at St. Walburg Monastery on December 27, 1941 and was a member of the community for 66 years. She celebrated the Diamond Jubilee of her monastic profession on June 14, 2003.
Sr. Juanita’s ministry was education. From 1944 until 1986 she taught in twelve different elementary schools in Kentucky, nearly every grade level. She also taught math on occasion in high school. Having had some experience as an elementary school librarian, Sr. Juanita became periodicals librarian at Thomas More College in 1986 and held this position until her retirement in 2001.
Although she liked teaching and delighted in encountering former students, Sr. Juanita loved being retired. She said, “ Retirement here at the Monastery is a joy to me. I no longer have to rush out to a teaching or library job. Life moves at a more leisurely pace. I can pray, meditate, do spiritual reading, take a nap when tired, lend a helping hand where needed and enjoy the beauty of nature God has given us here in Villa Hills.” Her interests included reading, both for herself and to others unable to do so for themselves, visiting the sick Sisters in St. Walburg’s infirmary, volunteering occasionally at Thomas More College Library, working crossword puzzles, and assembling albums of family photos. When Internet access came to the monastery, she was one of the first to sign up for an email account and enjoyed showing others how to do email.
Various health problems had plagued Sr. Juanita in recent years which required residence in the monastery infirmary. She died at St. Elizabeth Healthcare Edgewood on Monday, Feb. 22. She is survived by her religious community, her two sisters, Sr. Clarita and Sr. Xavier Anneken, and many devoted nieces and nephews. Sr. Juanita donated her body to the U.C. College of Medicine. The community will celebrate Evening Prayer with Remembrance on Tuesday, March 2 at 7:30 p.m. and Memorial Eucharist on Wednesday, March 3 at 5:20 p.m.