Sr. Mary Ann Louise Arno, MSC

Sr. Mary Ann Louise Arno, MSC (AKA Sr. Benita) was born November 1, 1939 in Lafayette, LA. She died at Our Lady of Prompt Succor Nursing on December 27, 2023 at 11:48 PM.

Sr. Ann was preceded in death by her father, Frank Arno, and her mother, Margaret Le Doux Arno; her siblings: Bob Arno, Shelby Arno, Ethel Arno LaFleur, Aldera “Dee Dee” Arno Lang, Vernice Arno Skains.

She is survived by her siblings: Gwen Arno Stutes, Joseph Arno, Clara Arno Lyons, and their families.

Sister Ann Louise entered the Congregation of the Marianites of Holy Cross on September 8, 1957 and pronounced her perpetual vows on August 5, 1963. She received her Bachelor of Science degree from Our Lady of Holy Cross College (now the University of Holy Cross) in 1961 and a Masters of Education degree from Loyola University in 1974. Sister Ann Louise’s ministries touched many forms of education. She served in elementary and high school education at St. Mary of the Angels in New Orleans, Sacred Heart in Ville Platte, St. Charles Academy in Lake Charles, St. John School in Plaquemine. She also served as registrar at Our Lady of Holy Cross College (now University of Holy Cross) from 1972-1989. She was missioned to Dominica in the West Indies for a year and was then sent to Gueydan, LA where she served as both teacher and principal at St. Peter School for 20 years. From 2010 to 2020, she was the coordinator of C’est la Vie Apartments for Senior Citizens. Due to a decline in her health status, she was admitted to Prompt Succor Nursing Home in October 2022.

In each of her ministries, Sr. Ann brought a calming and peaceful presence. From the classes she taught, to the details of being registrar, to the poor in Dominica, to the families at St. Peter’s, to her presence with the elderly at C’est la Vie, she was steadfastly faithful in her fulfillment of her varied responsibilities. When once asked where she would like to minister if she had a choice, she responded that she was at peace doing exactly what she was called to do at each moment.

Toward the end of her life, as Dementia began taking its toll on her, she was still able to rejoice in the wonders of God’s creation. With gifts from her family, she had created a small garden in her bedroom of miniature cacti and succulent plants. She would sit in her chair by the window and joyfully share the daily news of her garden! She would delineate the specific regimen of how much light and water she gave each one. She knew the leaf count on each succulent and delighted in each new sprout. She would explain the changing shape and colors of each of the cacti flowers. Remarkably while her exterior world was growing smaller, her inner spirit was peacefully growing larger in God’s grace.

We ask that you pray for us, Ann Louise, that regardless of the external changes in our own lives, we may be grounded in the gifts of God’s creation welcoming a spirit of peace to reign in our hearts.

To celebrate her life, services will be held on Friday, January 5, 2024 at Sibille Funeral Home at 2309 St. George Street, Opelousas, LA., 70570. There will be a wake service at 9:30 AM followed by Mass at 10:00 AM. Burial will follow at St. Landry Cemetery.

We want to express our gratitude to the staff of Our Lady of Prompt Succor Nursing Home for their caring and compassionate presence to Sr. Ann Louise. We also want to thank the staff of Traditions Hospice for their expertise and support in the last days of her life. In lieu of flowers, the Marianites of Holy Cross request that memorial donations be made to the Marianites of Holy Cross Congregational Center at 75520 Hwy 1081, Covington, Louisiana, 70435.

Words of Comfort to the family may be expressed at www.sibillefuneralhomes.com. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Sibille Funeral Home of Opelousas.