Give thanks to the Lord, call on his name;
make known his deeds among the nations;
proclaim that his name is exalted.
Isaiah 12:4
Sister Mary Ann Bartolac, 90, a Sister of Charity of Leavenworth (SCL) for 72 years, died on November 21, 2024. Born on June 22, 1934 in Kansas City, Kansas, she was the third of the five children of Stephen and Louise Bartolac. She entered religious life on August 21, 1952, and took the name Sister Stephen Louise. She later returned to her baptismal name.
A genuinely caring educator, Sister Mary Ann taught in schools in Colorado, Kansas, and Missouri from 1954 to 1967. In the fall of 1967, she became a principal, serving at St. Joseph School in Grand Junction, Colorado, and then at St. John the Evangelist School in Lawrence, Kansas. She led by example and kindness, seeing the potential in her students and faculty. Through her support, she gave her teachers confidence and helped them to grow. Because of her leadership, many student teachers from the University of Kansas began their teaching careers at St. John School.
A turning point occurred in 1977 when Sister Mary Ann was injured in a car accident, which led to a long recovery. During that time of healing, the pastor of Holy Trinity Catholic Church invited her to become a pastoral assistant. During her time there, she found that some members of the wider Church were marginalized because of divorce. She found that she had a calling to help bring healing to those individuals. So, she began ministering as a Marriage Case Advocate for Johnson County parishes in the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas. As her sister, Sister Virginia Bartolac, SCL, said, “She was a ‘facilitator of the Spirit.’” Through empathetic listening, she helped them with their testimonies and guided those seeking annulments through an often intimidating process. Some entered appointments with apprehension, but often hearts changed, and they left with relief and sometimes a hug.
Her care and empathy were an extension of her prayer life and deep spirituality, fostered in childhood by her parents. This carried her through her life, and when she was met with “bumps in the road,” she could face them with a joyful spirit. She often turned to the arts or nature, especially the mountains, to buoy herself in difficult times.
Sister Mary Ann retired to Ross Hall in October of 2024 and continued her ministry in prayer for others.
Sister Mary Ann was preceded in death by her parents, brother Edgar, and sisters Therese Thrailkill and Helen Mae Bartolac. She is survived by her youngest sister, Sister Virginia L. Bartolac, SCL, 14 nieces and nephews, 11 great nieces and nephews, five great-grandnieces and nephews, and the SCL Community.
There will be a vigil service at 7 p.m., Monday, December 2, in Ross Chapel, SCL Mother House, Leavenworth. Mass of Resurrection will be celebrated in Ross Chapel at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, December 3, 2024. Interment follows in Mount Olivet Cemetery, Mother House grounds. Memorial contributions can be made to the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth, 4200 S. 4th St., Leavenworth, KS 66048.
