Senate Resolution No. 1412

BY: Senator KENNEDY

MOURNING the death of Sister Anna Kessen,
dedicated teacher, distinguished citizen and devoted
member of her community

WHEREAS, It is the tradition of this State and this Nation to pay
tribute to those institutions and individuals who have contributed to
the ethical and spiritual values of their communities; and

WHEREAS, Sister Anna Kessen of Clarence, New York, died on Saturday,
March 18, 2017, at the age of 94; and

WHEREAS, Born in Coldwater, Ohio, Sister Anna Kessen entered the
Sisters of St. Joseph in September of 1941, and made her final vows in
August of 1947; upon earning her Bachelor of Science degree in Education
from Mount St. Joseph Teacher's College, currently known as Medaille
College, in 1947, she went on to receive her Master of Science degree in
Education of the Deaf from Canisius College in 1965; and

WHEREAS, Sister Anna Kessen distinguished herself in her profession
and by her sincere dedication and substantial contribution to the
welfare of her community; and

WHEREAS, For most of her life, Sister Anna Kessen served several
roles at St. Mary's School for the Deaf; she ministered to 60
residential boys as a house parent, taught primary grades, and served as
a pastoral worker at Our Lady Help of Christians Parish in Cheektowaga,
New York, where she signed Masses and taught religious education classes
to the adult deaf community; and

WHEREAS, Devoted to tutoring and providing religious education for
those who did not have the most accessible means to it, Sister Anna
Kessen continued teaching in the community until her retirement in 2000;
and

WHEREAS, Sister Anna Kessen's commitment to excellence, and her
spirit of humanity, carried over into all fields of enterprise,
including charitable and civic endeavors; and

WHEREAS, Armed with a humanistic spirit and imbued with a sense of
compassion, Sister Anna Kessen leaves behind a legacy which will long
endure the passage of time and will remain as a comforting memory to all
she served and befriended; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
mourn the death of Sister Anna Kessen, dedicated teacher, distinguished
citizen and devoted member of her community; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the family of Sister Anna Kessen.