Sister Anita Iddings, RSM

Sister Mary Anita Iddings died at the age of 97 on August 25th at Marian Oaks Care Center in Burlingame. She was born Alice Irene to William and Frances Brindle Iddings in 1924 in Pittsburgh, PA. The family moved to San Diego before the birth of their fifth child.

After high school she began studies at Mercy Hospital School of Nursing in San Diego where she met the Sisters and entered the community in 1944, professing her vows in 1946. She continued her studies at St. Mary’s Hospital in San Francisco becoming an RN in 1948 and earned her bachelor’s degree in 1954 from USF.

Sister then served as Director of the Nursing Department and of the Vocational Nursing Program at St. Mary’s. During this time she also worked to accredit the LVN program at San Quentin State Prison where students met most of the requirements for licensure at the prison hospital then completed clinical requirements while on probation. Over the years she stayed in touch with some of the men she taught during this time.

Sister Mary Anita continued her healthcare ministry in Bakersfield and at Mercy Retirement Center in Oakland, and then served the Community as health coordinator. She earned a degree in Counseling at UC Santa Cruz in 1983 and became certified as an Alcohol and Drug Counselor working with the Women’s Recovery Association and in private practice. During this period she also served as a liaison to other Sisters, especially in their life transitions.

As she aged, she became increasingly aware of the gift of contemplation in her life and embraced the gift of old age as a special calling to a deeper spirituality and to being a supportive presence to others. Her gentle common-sense demeanor and wisdom were always a welcome gift to those who came to her door.

She is survived by her niece Mary Anita Iddings, Grandnieces Devera Belden, Melissa Clyde, Maya Pealer, Michelle Kosanki, and grandnephews David Smith, and Joseph Rodriguez, and her loving community of the Sisters of Mercy. Burial Service will be at Holy Cross Cemetery Wednesday Sept. 1 at 12:00 Noon. Memorial gifts may be made to the Sisters of Mercy, 2300 Adeline Drive, Burlingame, CA 94010.