Remembrance of the Life of Ann Compton Kammien CoL

Ann Kammien has been a Loretto Co-member for 43 years. It might be said that she was born into Loretto. When she arrived on Feb. 25, 1956, she was named Elizabeth Ann Compton, in honor of her aunt Sister Elizabeth Ann Compton SL. “EA” as she was called within the Community, was a fine teacher and cherished friend, known for her silver voice and welcoming smile. Within the family, she was Aunt Sis, and she and Ann maintained a special bond from then on.

Ann’s parents, Richard and Therese Compton, had six children and many grandchildren, one of whom, Ann’s daughter Molly Kammien, is also a Loretto Co-member. Molly says Loretto was a huge part of her childhood years. She and her cousins spent much time with Aunt Sis, Nancy Wittwer SL and Angie Murphy SL especially during the summers, and she has great memories of Aunt Sis writing and directing Christmas musicals with parts for all 15-plus cousins!

Ann and her husband of 37 years, Craig, have two children – Molly and Kevin – and became proud grandparents four years ago when Molly and her husband, Connor O’Shea, welcomed their son Kellen James, followed by Ada Ann two years later.

Ann was a physical therapist for more than 40 years, running her own business and teaching PT students at Washington University, St. Louis University and Maryville University to love the human anatomy. Through this work, she touched thousands of lives. A colleague once remarked that throughout the St. Louis PT community Ann was known as the expert on PT techniques for the hand. Many of her former students and colleagues have sent the Kammien family loving memories and gratitude for Ann’s presence in their lives.

Over many years as a Loretto member, Ann participated in various Loretto actions in St. Louis and was involved in and supportive of Nerinx Hall and Marian Middle School. At the ceremony to celebrate her 25^th anniversary as a co-member, Ann’s expression of her recommitment included these Loretto statements: “Standing here because we belong to Loretto, we agree to live together in the spirit, support one another in realizing God’s peace on earth, and continue creating a community of faith, hope and love. We are friends of Mary and friends to one another, committed to following the Gospel.” Her re-commitment ceremony ended with the following Irish blessing: “May the blessing of light be on you, light without and light within. May the blessed sunshine shine on you and warm your heart till it glows like a great peat fire, so that strangers may come and warm themselves by it, and also a friend.”

Ann received the devastating diagnosis of ALS in 2021. She reacted with her customary strength and dignity. Surrounded and supported by her loving family, Ann bravely sought treatment that was fruitful. When it became apparent there was no more curative treatment to be found, Ann courageously chose palliative care and moved to a peaceful death on June 29, 2024.

Upon celebrating her 25^th Jubilee as a Loretto Co-member, Ann commented on her legacy: “I feel confident that my two children, as well as our 15 nieces and nephews, will embrace and carry forward the Loretto ideals. They seem to understand the need to take a risk, take a stand, think globally, travel often and learn forever. Thank you all for allowing me a lifetime with you.”

Loretto gives thanks for the life of Ann Compton Kammien and all the gifts she brought to our Community. May she rest in peace.