Sister Ann Frances Hemberger, SSMN, died Dec. 12, 2017, at St. Mary Center in Buffalo. She was 82.
The former Carol Ann Hemberger was born Feb. 20, 1935, to Carl and Catherine (O'Malley) Hemberger. She received a bachelor's degree in history from Rosary Hill College, now Daemen College, in 1956 and a master's degree from St. Bonaventure University in 1968.
Early in her ministry, Sister Ann Frances taught junior high at Annunciation School in Buffalo and St. John the Baptist School in Kenmore. She went on to serve as an administrator at several diocesan schools, serving as principal at St. John the Baptist School in Lockport, St. Paul in Kenmore, and Mount St. Mary Elementary and St. John the Baptist, both in Kenmore. Sister Ann Frances also fulfilled the capacity of a provincial councilor or superior.
Later in her life, she began serving in outreach work helping the poor, receiving local and national recognition as a substance abuse counselor. She served in this capacity at the Monsignor Carr Institute in Buffalo, providing assistance for people suffering from addiction.
Sister Ann Frances was the sister of the late Robert Hemberger. She is survived by a sister-in-law, Sue Hemberger; and nieces, nephews and their children.
She elected to donate her remains to science via the Anatomical Gift Program at the State University of New York at Buffalo Medical School.
A memorial Mass will be celebrated on Easter Tuesday, April 3, at St. Mary Center in Buffalo.