Antonia Anthony Obituary

Anthony, Sister Antonia, OSF, died November 4, 2011. She was born Helen Anne in Denver, Colorado, the youngest of six children to Ward and Eugenie Anthony. She is preceded in death by sisters Florine and Mary Jean; and survived by brothers Ward and Jack Anthony and sister Marjorie Atkinson; along with numerous nieces, nephews, their children; and spouses. A Sister of St. Francis since 1953, Sister Antonia spent her life passionately working with and advocating for the social concerns of people who lack access to basic resources, particularly Native Americans and Hispanics in Colorado, South Dakota, and Mexico. She was also a journalist and a teacher. Rituals of eternal life will be celebrated at St. Dominic Parish with vigil prayer on Nov. 8, 7:00 pm, and Mass of Resurrection on Nov. 9, 10:00 am.

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Published by Denver Post on Nov. 8, 2011.

Memories and Condolences
for Antonia Anthony

10 Entries

James Atkinson

November 15, 2011

I got home from work very late on Friday night, the 4th of November, and checked my emails. My sister Liz had sent a very sad one, saying that Sister Antonia had been in a horrible car accident and was not expected to survive her injuries. I called my mother in California right away, and she sounded optimistic, noting that Sister was cognizant of her surroundings and the people by her bedside, even communicating with them. I called Ward and he gave me a different picture: she had severe but perhaps survivable injuries -- but she was not wishing to survive them. He explained that she had had a premonition of something coming soon, and had recently said that she felt her life had been lived completely, at 83 years of age, and she was ready to take her next journey when the moment arrived. In the middle of our conversation, Ward said he had to take another call because it might be very important, and we hastily said goodbye. It was about 1am here in Italy, and I went out on my terrace to sit and think about Sister Antonia and wonder if we were really losing her. For a moment, I had chills on the back of my neck as I felt her presence, seeming to pay me a visit to say goodbye. She was on my left side, and it felt like she was right here for a moment -- happy and released.

It was a day later that I actually received the news from Rebecca that Sister Antonia died at 7:12 pm on Friday evening in Denver. I called my mother and told her. She cried a little bit and said, "I don't have any sisters now." I offered what comfort I could from this far away.

Friday night had left me with a mix of intense feelings, even if it hadn't yet been confirmed that she had passed on. I felt like a wish or even a blessing had been blown to me with the wind on my terrace. I started to reflect, trying to put aside my sadness and think only about her life and how she lived it.

Sister Antonia was not one to waste time debating what the right thing to do might be; she knew, because she lived her life in a state of great clarity and, if I might use an overused term, she had her priorities straight. She knew the human condition all too well, she knew that people were capable of doing horrible things to each other (she was a teenager during World War II, and saw plenty firsthand in her long life), but she knew that we have divinity inside us as well, and we are just as capable of doing wonderful things for each other. She simply chose the latter, and lived her life selflessly, full of unconditional love. Her spiritual state was such that she had an endless bounty of resources to heal herself from all of life's unpleasant turns, disappointments, sufferings and disappointments. Her bounty was so great, she could offer it to others as well -- as she always did. Whenever I would talk to Sister Antonia about something that was hanging me up in life, I felt that she completely absorbed what I was talking about as if it were her very own problem -- not pretending to, but actually making it her very own problem in that moment -- and then she would reflect, take time, and offer me words which came from deep within her soul. This is how she lived with all people -- she cared deeply for all of us, and had no fear of the pain that might come from that caring. She had a deep spiritual awareness that she had worked at every day of her life since joining the convent.

I asked Sister Antonia a few years ago if she had ever thought of writing a book about her experiences in Chiapas, and what had happened down there after she left. She didn't think about it for a second before saying, "no." She explained that her mission in life was to work, and it was up to others to write. She just wasn't interested in spending her time recounting things for the history books -- she was interested only in doing what she thought needed to be done.

Sister Antonia saw the divinity in each and every one of us. The Catholic Church was her spiritual path and she accepted it with its imperfections just as she accepted our imperfections and even her own -- few as they may seem as we look back on her life (I can't think of any, to tell the truth!).

When I told her of an experience a couple of years ago that shook me terribly (a "friend" had turned out to be a con artist and successfully put me into a terrible set-back in life), she used words that went straight toward the challenge that lay ahead of me. She said "we forgive from the cross." I had asked about healing, and she took it straight to forgiveness, which is indeed the only way to heal. I thought about those words, "we forgive from the cross," and realized that for the first time in my life it was clear what they really meant. I felt like I was being asked to climb a mountain too tall for me to even estimate, but there was Sister Antonia, never afraid to point the way, telling me essentially to lace my hiking boots and get started.

We have not lost our great inspiring Sister Antonia -- she has only continued her journey, and she has left us with all she could give us during her time on this Earth, which is plenty. Her wisdom, patience and love will be with us always when we think of her, and in times of difficulty she will always be that pillar of conviction and strength that we refer to. She was the strongest person I have ever known.

We love her and we miss her, and now we have only to lace our hiking boots and take her message of unconditional love and forgiveness with us as we live out our days.

Jim Atkinson

Nov. 6, 2011
Rome, Italy

November 14, 2011

May God bless the Gleason and Anthony family in this time of sorrow. Sister Antonia is now a special guardian angel.

Jeanne (Weber) DeHaven

Rose Maestas

November 11, 2011

Jack, Lois and Anthony Family, my condolences in the loss of your beloved sister. My thoughts and prayers are will all of you. God's Blessings.

Chaplain Betsy (Kaiser) Kan

November 9, 2011

Deep sadness and shock, on earth, yet "I can only imagine" amazing, glorious celebration in Heaven, as Sister Antonia entered. Wouldn't we all like to have witnessed that--as she heard her Lord and Savior say, "Well done, good and faithful servant!" I wonder if they sing a special "welcome Home song" when we arrive. Sister Antonia was a true contemporary saint, and well represented/lived out the Anthony family, as well as Christian family legacy. (Her precious mother taught members of my family in grade school @ St Dominic's, so many years ago!) On-going prayers for family and friends. May God comfort each of us as we ponder Heavenly realities, @ this time!

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November 9, 2011

Sadness surges forth at hearing of the passing of my GODMOTHER. Tho we only met once in Wash DC after she and Marjorie were on a protest at the World Bank, we had an instant admiration of one another and I truly felt that I had been influenced by her prayers for my 65years; and, she in mine. My parents, Len and Margaret Walker took great pride in telling her stories and of sharing clothing with the Indians .....one frock being made into a wedding dress.
We were blessed to be a part of her family. Long live the Anthony legacy! Lenore Walker Walsh

Lawrence Walker

November 9, 2011

Sister Antonia was my father's cousin and a beloved member of my extended family. She worked extensively with the Native Americans in Mexico and the US -- the Otomi of Hidalgo State, the tribes Chiapas and the Lakota (Sioux) of South Dakota -- and Hispanics in Denver. I remember helping her with a visa to allow her long-time assistant in Hidalgo come for her silver anniversary as a nun. And I remember visiting her on the Rosebud Lakota reservation, where I had the privilege of witnessing a Sundance. And she stayed a while in Oakland, near where I lived. She was passionate for social justice but not polemic, also willing to listen to differing opinions, seeking coexistence and common ground. She was a great human being, and hers was a life well lived.

Sharon Bonney

November 8, 2011

I had not seen Sister Antonia since I graduated but, I have keep up on the emails and know that she was very special to all of us. My thoughts and prayers are with the family at this time.

Diane Fall

November 8, 2011

My deepest symphony to the extended family of Sister Antonia. Although I have not seen her in many years, she was always such a big part of the Marycrest family. God will certainly enjoy her as much as we did. She will remain in my prayers.
Diane Goodwin Fall

Donna Baiocco

November 8, 2011

She was always an inspiration to me. She walked the walk. A true Franciscan.

Jeannie Courchene

November 8, 2011

Our prayers and deepest sympathy to the Anthony & Gleason families. Sr. Antonia was an amazing faith-filled woman, a wonderful teacher, and a dear friend. She will be missed by all who knew her!
Love & Prayers,
Jeannie & Bruce Courchene

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