Sister Anita Marie Gilpin died at St. Joseph Monastery on July 17, 2013 at the age of 94.

Sister was born Mary Ann Gilpin in Osage, OK to Howard C. and Mary Ann (McCormick) Gilpin. The Gilpins were a railroad family so they moved from OK to KS, then to Dayton, OH where Mary Ann completed her elementary and high school education. At the age of 25, she converted to Catholicism and in 1949 entered St. Joseph Monastery, then located in Guthrie, OK. She made her perpetual vows in August 1954.


Her teaching career began in 1951 at St. Francis Xavier School in Tulsa where she spent 11 years as teacher and principal, followed by 2 years at St. Mary's School in Guthrie. She was later appointed administrator of Benedictine Heights Hospital in Guthrie.


Sister Anita Marie served the Benedictine Community as administrator and as Prioress from 1969 – 1983. During her term of office, she led the sisters through a challenging period in their history, as together they faced issues of renewal following the Second Vatican Council.


She is survived by her Benedictine community, two sisters, Hazel Humston and Betty Howard, both of Dayton, OH and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, four brothers and five sisters.

All are invited to join the Benedictine community in praying Vespers, Sunday evening at 7:00. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, July 22nd at 10:00 am. Both services will take place in the Marian Chapel, 2200 South Lewis Avenue, Tulsa.

Memorials may be made to the Sisters' Retirement Fund, St. Joseph Monastery, 2200 S. Lewis Ave, Tulsa, OK 74114 or Catholic Charities, 2450 N. Harvard Ave., Tulsa, OK 74115.

FITZGERALD IVY CHAPEL 918-585-1151