70th Jubilarian
As Sr. Anne Kniphuisen celebrates her 70th Jubilee this year, she gives thanks for a ministry enriched by the children she taught and the people she met who became her extended family.
Raised in Queens, New York, Sr. Anne attended St. Mary’s Elementary School in Flushing. When it was time for high school, Sister chose Preston in the Bronx – a decision she continues to cherish. Inspired by the joy, warmth and devotion of the Sisters of the Divine Compassion, Sister decided to enter the Convent following graduation.
Sister earned her Bachelors degree in English/Education at Good Counsel College and her Master’s degree in education from St. Bonaventure University. Sr. Anne also holds certifications in education from Fairfield University, Western Connecticut University and New York State.
Sr. Anne’s ministry in elementary education spans five decades! Following Sister’s initial assignment teaching third and fourth grades at Our Lady of Sorrows in White Plains, Sister taught first grade at Sacred Heart, St. Lawrence O’Toole and St. John the Evangelist in Mahopac, N.Y. Sister also taught kindergarten and music at St. Francis Xavier.
For forty years, Sr. Anne served as first-grade teacher and later as Assistant Principal at St. John’s in Mahopac, nurturing three generations of students. Sister helped prepare second graders for their First Holy Communion, seventh graders for Confirmation and provided one-on-one religious education to children with special needs.
Sr. Anne oversaw the glee club and school plays, and if that was not enough, Sister managed the after-school program and the CCD religious education curriculum.
To those who attended St. John’s, Sr. Anne was—and remains—family. Alongside Sr. Judith (RIP), she was a cornerstone of the community, supporting children and their families through life’s joys and challenges with unwavering faith and love.
Among her favorite memories of St. John’s are the Christmas plays, the glee club concerts, dances, St. Patrick’s Day parades, CYO, first Friday Masses, and the annual May Crowning Liturgy and Ceremony.
Sr. Anne’s greatest pleasures include spending time with family and friends at the beach; Thanksgiving Dinner with the Tierneys, a good game of scrabble with her Sisters, and the sweet treat of an ice cold pepsi and Boston cream donut.
