Sister Annella Clifford, OSB papers

Sister Annella Clifford, OSB was born Marjorie Anne in Evanston, Illinois on May 18, 1907. The only child of a Scottish mother and American father, she was orphaned at an early age. Sister attended Saint Scholastica High School in Chicago as a boarding student, obtaining a diploma from the commercial department. After graduation, Sister worked as a secretary in the business world. She entered the community on October 22nd, 1928, and was invested on July 11th, 1929. Sister made her first vows on August 16th, 1930, and her final profession on August 16th, 1933.

Sister Annella attended Bush Conservatory of Music and the American Conservatory of Music, earning certificates in Children's Musical Training. She also studied at Depaul and Loyola Universities, as well as the Catholic University of America. Sister served primarily as a teacher of elementary and intermediate academic grade levels at a variety of parochial schools. In Colorado, Sister taught at Saint Leander School in Puebelo, Saint Joseph School in Salida, Saint Michael School in Delta, and Saint Scholastica Academy in Canon City. In Illinois, Sister taught at Mother of God School, Queen of All Saints School, Saint Hilary School, Saint Scholastica High School, and Saint Joseph School. In Tucson, Arizona, Sister taught at the Sacred Heart School. Frequently serving as choir director and organist, Sister also taught piano lessons in various parishes for many years. In Salida, Colorado, Sister directed a well-known and celebrated children's choir.

In addition to teaching, Sister also worked as a Library Assistant at Saint Scholastica High School, as the registrar in Saint Scholastica High School Chicago, and as a secretary to Sister Dolores Schorsch, OSB and Father Alexander Schorsch, authors of "A Course in Religion for the Elementary Schools." In community, Sister served as the secretary to the Community Council, and was an active member of the Communications board.

Sister Annella died on October 8, 1998 at the age of 91. She is buried in All Saints Cemetery.