Sister Anne Rektor, SSND (formerly Sister Emily)
March 23, 1935 – August 2, 2021
Anne was born in the village of Gerald, Saskatchewan on March 23, 1935, the fifth of 12 children born to Frank and Amelia (Czmuchalek) Rektor. When the family moved to Port Arthur, Ontario, Anne attended St. Andrew’s School, staffed by the St. Joseph Sisters. At age 11, the family moved to Kitchener, Ontario. Anne was taught by the School Sisters of Notre Dame at Sacred Heart School and St. Mary’s High School, Kitchener.
During her time at St. Mary’s High, Anne joined a vocation club known as “Good Counsel Girls’ Club.” It was then she felt a call to be a Sister. She entered the candidature in Waterdown in September 1952, and was received as Novice Mary Emily in July 1953. She professed her vows the following year in 1954.
Sister Anne taught at the following schools: Lady of Lourdes, St. Louis and St. Michael’s in Waterloo; St. Eugene’s, Hamilton; and St. Aloysius, Kitchener. In 1963 she began teaching in secondary education at St. Mary’s High, Kitchener; Bishop Ryan High School, Hamilton; and Notre Dame Academy, Waterdown. She returned to Bishop Ryan High school in 1974. From 1978-1980, Sister Anne was a tutor in Centre for Educational Disabilities at University of Guelph.
In 1981 she moved to Valleyview, Alberta, where she ministered at St. Rita’s Parish. The following year she again moved to Notre Dame Convent, Waterdown, where she assisted with the senior sisters. From 1985-1996 Sister Anne was pastoral assistant at St. Teresa’s Parish, Kitchener. During the next few years she was a supply teacher with the Waterloo Region Catholic School Board.
Sister Anne attended summer school in 1963 and 1968 for the Secretarial and Advanced Business and Commerce courses offered by the Ontario Department of Education. In 1972 she received her B.A. in psychology from St. Jerome’s College, University of Waterloo.
In 2012, Sister Anne was asked to help our Sisters in Slavkov in the Czech Republic Province with conversational English. She was familiar with the language since her parents were of Czechoslovakian descent. She also taught English to some classes. Sister Anne regarded these months as a graced time in her life.
Her recent ministry included visiting the sick in local hospitals and supporting grieving families at the loss of loved ones. Her compassionate and comforting presence brought solace to those whom she visited.
For years Sister Anne had various health issues. When her health deteriorated, she moved to Cook Family Residence Hospice in Waterloo. She died the morning of August 2, 2021.
The Liturgy of Christian Burial was held at St. Francis Church, Kitchener. Rev. Murray McDermott CR officiated. Burial followed at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Burlington.
She is survived by her siblings Carl, Stanley, Larry, Amy Rektor, Marion Rektor, Lillian Hildebrandt and Joyce Dougherty.
- Joan Helm, SSND
