SISTER MARY ANN GIARDINA, O.P.
12/18/1933 - 09/22/2022
Sr. Mary Ann Giardina,
O.P. (Rose Martin) entered eternal life on Thursday, September 22, 2022. Sr. Mary Ann was born in Beaumont, TX, on December 18, 1933, to the late Nick and Mary Morrell Giardina. She is survived by her sister Rose Haberstroh, her brother Sam Giardina and sister-in-law Elaine, and numerous other family members.
Sr. Mary Ann graduated from St. Anthony High School in Beaumont, TX in 1951 and entered the Dominican Sisters of Houston in 1955. She earned a B.A. in Business Administration at Dominican College, Houston, and an M.Ed. in Business Education at the University of Houston. She also completed studies in Computer Science at Kerrville ISD, Kerrville, TX.
Sr. Mary Ann began her education ministry at Sacred Heart School, Galveston, TX. She then taught business and administration classes at St. Pius X High School, Houston; Central Catholic High School, Beaumont, later named Monsignor Kelly High School; St. Agnes Academy, Houston; and Dominican College, Houston.
Well respected for her expertise in finance, Sr. Mary Ann served as treasurer of Dominican College, Houston and in the finance office at St. Agnes Academy. She served her community in leadership on the General Council and assumed the responsibilities of Secretary General and Treasurer of the congregation. Her service to the wider community included her tenure as President of the Regional Conference of Religious Treasurers and membership on the Executive Board.
Sr. Mary Ann began a new education ministry, developing a computer lab and curriculum for Notre Dame School in Kerrville, TX. For her outstanding work as a Catholic school teacher and coordinator, she received an award from the National Catholic Educational Association. She later co-founded and served as Administrator and Chief Financial Officer of the Raphael Community Free Clinic in Kerrville, dedicated to ministering the underserved and working poor of Kerrville and the surrounding areas.
Sr. Mary Ann loved fishing, sports, reading, and listening to music. She will be remembered for her astute thinking in business affairs and her unwavering kindness towards all she met. Beneath her quiet demeanor lay a woman of deep faith, grace, and quiet eloquence. The Houston Dominicans would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word and the staff St. Placidus Convent for their loving care and support of Sr. Mary Ann during her final years.
Sister’s body will be welcomed at 4 p.m. and the vigil service will be at 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, September 25, 2022, at St. Dominic Villa Chapel, 6504 Almeda Rd. Mass of Christian Burial will be Monday, September 26, 2022, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Dominic Villa Chapel. Burial is at Forest Park Lawndale Cemetery at noon. Both the vigil and funeral services will be live streamed at https://www. facebook.com/EarthmanBellaire. In lieu of the usual remembrances, donations may be made to Dominican Sisters of Houston, 6501 Almeda Road, Houston, TX, 77021.