†Sister Mary Ann Goch, OP

Sister Mary Ann Goch was born on May 3, 1934, in Wyandotte, Michigan. Her father, Walter Goch, was a native of Russia (formerly Poland) while her mother, Eleanor Sniegowski Goch, came from South Chicago. She had one older brother, Norman. Mary Ann attended Horger Elementary School and St. Mary’s School in Lincoln Park. Her high school years were at St. Francis Xavier High School, in Ecorse, Michigan, a suburb of Detroit.

Sister Mary Ann studied music at Marygrove College where she received her BA in 1956. Then she taught vocal music in Dossin Elementary School in Detroit, took a leadership role in the spring Detroit Music festivals and supervised student teachers. In 1959, she earned her Permanent Certification in Elementary Education. During the summer following her graduation, she traveled to the Pacific Northwest and Canada. The following summer and fall she did graduate level work at the University of Detroit.

While Sister Mary Ann was still in high school, Grand Rapids Dominicans opened the elementary school in her parish, St. Frances Cabrini. While organist at the daily Mass, she met Sisters Michaela Schrems and Anne Keating, with whom she maintained close friendships. A college friend, Suzanne Eichhorn, had entered the Dominican community and they remained good friends through the years. In 1961, Mary Ann felt a call to pursue her spiritual life more intentionally, so she traveled to Grand Rapids to enter the congregation and continue her journey in faith, now supported and enriched by Dominican life and prayer. At reception, she received the name Marie Ann, returning to her baptismal name in 2003 after that became an option. She made her first profession in 1963.

Sister Mary Ann received an MA in Religious Education in 1967, and a Certificate in Teaching Religion in 1976. Summers studying music and liturgy as well as administration in religious education culminated in a Certificate in Liturgical Music and Organ from Central Michigan University in 1990.

Sister Mary Ann’s first mission was at St. Joseph’s, West Branch, where she combined classroom music and private piano lessons. Her ministry in music took her to parishes, both large and small, throughout Michigan. These include St. Mary’s in Muskegon; St. Joseph’s and St. John’s in Bay City and Essexville; Sacred Heart, Merrill; and St. Mary’s, Hemlock, where she coordinated religious education for the elementary grade students. Merrill would be home for Sister Mary Ann where she spent twenty-five years. Here she coordinated music and liturgy as well as supporting the parish in any way needed until her retirement in 2012. The time had come to say good-bye to the people of Merrill. At the time of their retirement the pastor said about both Sister Mary Ann and Sister Lupe Silva, “Their leaving us will be an end of an era.” And so, it was.

Over her years of service to parishes in Michigan, Sister Mary Ann coordinated liturgies, directed choirs, established strategies for involving families as well as students in the liturgical movement and trained elementary students in the use of mime as an expressive art form. In several parishes, she served as director of catechetical formation and religious education. She was a quiet and calm worker, organized and efficient, dedicated and committed to her responsibilities.

Sister Mary Ann enjoyed vacations, especially a memorable trip to Alaska with Sr. Suzanne Eichhorn. She always enjoyed attending concerts with both Sisters and other friends. Those who knew her well remember her for her deep listening and spirit of inclusiveness, making sure all had a part to play in the creation of art and beautiful environments for liturgies and building community.

At the time of her Silver Jubilee, Sister Mary Ann reflected on her life with gratitude for the “support, compassion, and the sharing of God’s peace.” Gratitude was a spirit she cultivated all her days even when aging and impaired eyesight limited her usual activities. When that happened, she honed her skills for drawing people out and calling forth their gifts with gentle and assuring confidence.

Sister Mary Ann will be missed by Sisters and friends who cherished her ready smile and encouraging spirit.

Sister Mary Ann is survived by her nephews, cousins, many friends, and members of her Dominican Sisters ~ Grand Rapids Community.