Sister Carletta Marie Anderson, SNJM

Elizabeth Keeley Anderson

December 12, 1914–April 12, 2011 (Los Gatos, CA)

Elizabeth Keeley Anderson was born on December 12, 1914, in Madison, Wisconsin, to George Krogh Anderson and Elizabeth Keeley. She was born the seventh of eight children – four boys and four girls. She was baptized with her mother’s name. She came from a very social family where education was a very important part of life. Her mother was a professional harpist and her father was a prominent businessman. Her paternal grandfather devoted his life to many phases of promoting Scandinavian culture as a professor, speaker, writer, translator and editor.

Sr. Carletta describes herself as 50% Irish and 100% Norwegian, 50% Lutheran and 100% Roman Catholic.

Elizabeth attended two public elementary schools - Doty Street School, Madison, Wisconsin and Gardner Street School, Hollywood, California. She attended four high schools - Le Conte Junior High School, Hollywood High and Immaculate Heart High School, Hollywood and Ramona Convent School, Alhambra. As a resident at Ramona on a full scholarship in her senior year, she was a daily communicant. It was after receiving Holy Communion that she told God that if He asked her she would follow Him as a religious. She relates, “On January 29, 1932, the message came through and I immediately made my decision. I was much impressed with the Holy Names Sisters as both mature women and excellent teachers.”

Elizabeth entered Holy Names Novitiate in Oakland on July 2, 1932. She made her First Profession at Holy Names College Chapel on August 5, 1934 and received the name Sister Carletta Marie. As a postulant she was sent to live at Sacred Heart Convent in Oakland to teach the second grade. Since Sr. Carletta had mainly attended public schools and never catechism classes or experienced religious practices in the home, she felt the lack of foundation in the faith that others had. It was the first time she had seen a Baltimore Catechism and she said her
class knew more than she did! All her life she sought to deepen her knowledge of faith and scripture.

After making her First Vows on August 5, 1934, she began her teaching career at St. Monica’s elementary school, Santa Monica, teaching pre-school and first grades. This was followed by teaching primary and middle grades at St. Francis de Sales, Oakland, St. Joseph, San Francisco, St. Stephen, Monterey Park, St. Monica, Santa Monica, St. Mary, Oakland and St. Gregory, Los Angeles. From 1945 - 1972 Sister Carletta taught on the secondary level at Ramona Convent, Holy Names High School, Oakland, Marin Catholic High School, St. Monica High School, Santa Monica, St. Andrew High School, Pasadena, and St. Mary’s Academy, Winnepeg, Ontario, Canada. While in Secondary Education she served in a variety of capacities: teacher, Cours Mistress, Senior Homeroom Teacher, principal, dean of students, registrar and vice-principal. It was in her years of administration at Ramona Convent that the Holy Family room was planned and built, though she was changed to Marin before the room was occupied.

She professed her Final Vows on August 5, 1939, at Holy Names College, Oakland, California. She received her B.A. Degree in Elementary Education from Holy Names College, Oakland, and two Masters Degrees – Secondary School Administration from Stanford University, Palo Alto,
and Math from Pennsylvania State University, Pennsylvania, where she received an NSF grant. One student mentioned that she loved Sister’s math classes because she guided the students with a fine sense of humor and a more compelling sense of challenge.

Another phase of Sr. Carletta’s ministry life was her years of social work and research (1972-1984) in Winnipeg, Michigan and Indiana. She loved working with the Brothers of Holy Cross and many an evening found her joining them for a game of bridge. She gave support service at Holy Names College, Oakland, and St. Andrew Convent, Pasadena, from 1984 – 1989.

From 1989 to 2005 she took loving care of her two brothers. She cooked, prepared dinner parties and did housekeeping for them. She dearly loved her family and told many stories about them. They could always count on her also for a scoop on Anderson family history, great conversation about sports, her love for Penn State, her favorite basketball players, Magic Johnson and Larry Bird, and playing bridge together.

Various testimonies indicate that Sister Carletta could teach almost anything: English, physics, math. Her colleagues spoke of her care and concern for students and her conscientiousness about class preparation. Friends indicate she was a good cook, caring gardener, perfect
housekeeper/hostess, avid reader and fine bridge player – always a winner. Others marveled at her efficiency and cheerfulness in the face of multiple duties. Students loved her, appreciating both her concern and firmness. They rose to meet the expectations she set for them. A lady to
the hilt, very feminine, she dressed impeccably coming to chapel at CHN beautifully groomed in clothes of her own making with matching shoes and nylons.

In 2005, Sr. Carletta Marie retired to Convent of the Holy Names, Los Gatos, California. Her severe hearing loss colored much of what she tried to do. She could hear nothing. This loss prevented her from joining the sisters at meetings, meals and large community events. She said she often felt isolated but bore this loss courageously. She sought several doctors hoping to restore some of her hearing but ended up disappointed. She loved having Mass every day with the community and came faithfully. She walked our beautiful grounds, welcomed the visits of her adoring nieces and their families and took time to read and pray. She read serious theologians like Rahner and Schillebeeckx the last weeks of her life even though she could hardly lift the books to her lap.

One of the last times her relative, Lauren, visited Los Gatos, Lauren took a picture of Sister holding Sofia’s hand (grandniece) while walking near the fishpond. Lauren had just started a new photography business and when she saw the picture of entwined hands it became the focus of her business logo and on the website. Its essence captured a thousand words. At her eulogy given by David Recupero, her nephew-in-law, he shared “We are going to miss you, Sister, for many reasons. You have been a blessing in our lives and we always knew that we had you and the entire Holy Names Community praying for us on any needed occasion –a reassurance supported with grace in our Catholic faith. Speaking of blessings, how fortunate we were to have Susan Fitts, Kathy’s college mate from CHN living right here in Los Gatos to volunteer her time in visiting with you, taking you shopping, to doctor’s appointments, and playing bridge. She would send us accounts following your doctor’s visits which were most helpful and appreciated by the family.”

Sister Carletta Marie often prayed that God was readying her mansion for her and that a “chariot” was being prepared to take her to her heavenly home. After a long wait, Sister died on April 12, 2011 at 1:30 a.m. Many sisters, family and Jesuit friends had been visiting over the weeks and into the nights. The community at the convent celebrated the Sacrament of the Sick and Prayers for the Dying with her. Sister was 96 years of age and celebrated 77 years of religious profession. We remember Sr. Carletta’s great love and devotion to her family, the importance of the Blessed Sacrament in her life, her love of reading, her lifelong joy in playing bridge and her enjoyment of men’s college sports, particularly at Penn State.

The Mass of Resurrection was celebrated by Fr. George Kennard S.J., on Monday, April 18, 2011, at 7:15 p.m. at Convent of the Holy Names in Los Gatos. Twenty-eight of Sister’s relatives were present to say a final goodbye. Sister Marguerite Kirk, Los Gatos Mission Centre Coordinator, welcomed the community. Sister Molly Neville sprinkled the casket with holy water, and Sister Gabriel Kennedy placed on the casket the tray holding her vows and a rose. Sister Joan Katheryn Giubergia proclaimed the First Reading (Micah 6:8) and Father Kennard proclaimed the Gospel (John 14:2-6). Sister Barbara Carroll gave the reflection on the Word. Sisters relatives presented the Offertory gifts. Sister Carol Nicklas read the General Intercessions, and her nephew-in-law, David Recupero and Sister Molly Neville teamed the Reflections on the Life of Sister Carletta. The Sisters joined in singing the concluding rite hymn “Laudate, Laudate Domine”.

Burial took place at 10:15 a.m. on Tuesday, April 19, 2011, at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in Hayward, California. Sister Marguerite Kirk, Los Gatos Mission Centre Coordinator, presided.