Sister Anna Rose Bezner, CDP
February 16, 1926 – July 29, 2019
Sister Anna Rose Bezner, CDP, entered eternal life on July 29, 2019, at the age of 93. She was the fourth of nine children (the first of four girls) born to Jake and Elizabeth (Wiese) Bezner. Sister Anna Rose was born on February 16, 1926 in Lindsay, Texas. Her baptismal name was Evelyn Clara Marie.
She answered God’s call to become a Sister of Divine Providence on September 6, 1941, and professed first vows on June 22, 1946. Sister Anna Rose’s life always involved music. Several generations of music students can attest to her love and passion for it.
Sister Anna Rose credits her maternal aunt, Cecilia Schmitz, for opening the world of music to her. It was love at first hearing. Sister Anna Rose joined her first adult choir at the age of nine and joined several other choirs in her adulthood: Tulsa (Oklahoma) Civic Chorus, Dallas (Texas) Catholic Choir and the San Antonio (Texas) Choral Society. She loved to sing and harmonize.
She completed her last two years of high school at Our Lady of the Lake Convent, and while serving as music teacher, attended Our Lady of the Lake College to earn her Bachelor of Arts in Music. Later on, she earned a Masters in Elementary Education with a core in Administration. Sister Anna Rose was a private music teacher in Texas, Oklahoma and Louisiana from 1946-1964, and 1985-2006. She served as principal of various schools in Oklahoma and Texas, including St. Anthony School and St. Martin Hall in San Antonio.
She was blessed with the impeccable ability to remember names and the connections she made with people from every place she served. Every memory was held and cherished with love and positive remembrance. She never stopped sharing of herself. During her “retirement” years she joyfully assisted in the congregation’s Associates Formation Program. She believed that as a daughter of Father Moye, founder of the Congregation of Divine Providence (CDP), she was called to share the CDP values and charism. Her favorite conversationalists were the men and women seeking to formalize their relationship with the Sisters of Divine Providence by becoming Associates, and thus, collaborating with the Sisters to carry out the mission of Jesus.
Her life and intimate and profound relationship with her Creator is best summed up in her quote recorded January 20, 1991: “‘Here I am Lord: I come to do your will.’ I believe that I can say that the above quote has been ‘my way of life’ thus far. God in His intimate love, and many friends have been with me on my very pleasant journey.” By the same token, her optimism, care, concern, cheer and happiness made many people’s journeys pleasant and enjoyable.
She is survived by siblings Sister Ramona Bezner, CDP, Weldon Bezner, Kathleen Caponi, sisters-in-law Johnann, Joan and Laurie Bezner, and all her Sisters and Associates of Divine Providence. She is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and their families. She was preceded in death by her parents Jake and Elizabeth Bezner, siblings Lambert, Wilfred, James, Viola and Arnold Bezner; brother-in-law Mike Caponi, and sister-in-law Rose Bezner.
The Rosary will be recited Wednesday, August 7, 2019, at 4:00 p.m. and the Wake will be at 6:30 p.m. A Mass of Resurrection will be Thursday, August 8, 2019, at 11:00 a.m. All services will be in Annunciation Chapel at Our Lady of the Lake Convent Center.
In lieu of flowers, you may make a memorial contribution to the Sisters of Divine Providence, 515 S.W. 24th Street, San Antonio, TX 78207-4619.
Obituary (pdf)