Sister Margaret Ann Holtz, OSB papers

Born in Spangler, Pennsylvania, on June 5, 1932, Margaret Ann was one of four children born to Dennis and Mary Holtz. After Graduating from St. Patrick Elementary School and Spangler High School, and following a family vacation to Chicago, during which they visited Margaret Ann’s paternal aunt, Sister Gertrude Holtz, O.S.B., she decided to join the Benedictine Sisters of Chicago. She made her first vows in August of 1952 and received the name Sister Mary Denis. Her final vows were made August of 1955. For decades, Sister Margaret Ann taught primary grades at schools throughout the Archdiocese of Chicago, including Queen of All Saints, St. John Nepomucene, St. George, and St. Hilary, where she served as assistant principal as well. In 1964, Sr. Margaret Ann received a Ph.B. from DePaul University. In the later 1970’s, Sr. Margaret Ann moved from teaching to positions of financial responsibility for both schools and community. She served in the business office at St. Scholastica Academy, Cañon City, Colorado. She also served as treasurer of the Benedictine Sisters of Chicago. In her later years, Sister Margaret Ann coordinated monastery staff resources and housekeeping staff. In 2014, she moved to St. Joseph Court. There, Sister Margaret Ann Holtz died on November 30, 2024. She was a member of the Benedictine community for 74 years.