Sister Ann (formerly Sr. Michael Ann) Skeffington SL died March 28, 2024, at Loretto Living Center, Nerinx, KY. She was 88 and in the 69th year of her Loretto commitment. Born Jan. 30, 1936, Dixon, IL, and baptized Eleanor Ann Skeffington. Daughter of Elizabeth (Wolf) and William Skeffington. Received into the Sisters of Loretto at the Foot of the Cross May 24, 1955. Earned a bachelor's in education, with a minor in philosophy, in 1959 from Webster University, St. Louis.

For more than a half century of service, Ann mainly taught kindergarten. She also served as a part-time teacher's aide, tutored, routinely helped family and others with homework, cared for family and volunteered at St. Mary and St. Anne parishes in Dixon. She was beloved by her students and seemed to know each one on a personal level. Ann loved working with children in any way she could. A dedicated, wonderful teacher, she is remembered as ever-kind and ever-calm. It was said she was "a great example of Christ: always giving, always grateful, always patient, loving."

In Illinois, Ann taught at Immaculate Conception, Highland Park (1963-1965), St. Mary School, Rockford (1965-1967), St. Andrew School, Rock Falls (1971-1981) and St. Mary School in Dixon (1983 to 2017). Elsewhere, she taught at St. Philomena, Denver (1959-1963), St. Cronan, St. Louis (1967-1968) and St. Francis, Santa Fe, NM (1968-1971). Santa Fe was a particularly favorite spot of hers. In letters to her family, Ann said she loved the weather, beautiful scenery and the many native American children whom she taught there.

When not teaching, Ann loved to read and did "very pretty needlework," including crocheting and embroidery. She thoroughly enjoyed her family and friends and especially baking cookies and doing jigsaw puzzles with her mother. She was well-known by the youngsters in her family for her zucchini and pumpkin breads. Ann retired to Loretto Motherhouse Infirmary in 2020. A quiet and private individual, she continued to cherish her time doing jigsaw puzzles until her death.

Preceding her in death were her parents and brother, Michael Skeffington. She is survived by her sisters Sister Kathryn Skeffington ASCJ of Hamden, CT, and Mary Wallace of Dixon, IL, and numerous nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews, extended family and friends. A funeral Mass for Sr. Ann will be celebrated at 10 a.m. ET  Wednesday, April 10, with her wake at 6:30 p.m. ET Tuesday, April 9, both at Loretto Motherhouse, Nerinx, KY. Burial at Our Lady of Sorrows Cemetery, Loretto Motherhouse. Memorials may be made to the Sisters of Loretto for our mission, c/o Loretto Motherhouse, 515 Nerinx Road, Nerinx, KY 40049 or as an online gift at www.lorettocommunity.org.