Posted February 20, 2018 in Obituaries

Teacher, administrator and parish minister

Sister Anne Clare was happiest when she was giving to others. As teacher, congregational leader and member, parish minister, and family member, she freely gave of her time, energy and service to make life happier and easier for all within her circle of care. The gentle and faith-filled Ursuline died Monday, February 19, at Regina Health Center in Richfield, where she had been in residence since 2013. She was 88.

Joan Elizabeth Asbeck, daughter of Joseph and Helen (Richard) Asbeck, was born March 18, 1929, in Cleveland. Within months of her 1947 graduation from Ursuline Academy of the Sacred Heart, Joan joined the Ursuline congregation from St. Thomas Aquinas Parish, Cleveland. She professed final vows in 1953.

Sister Anne Clare earned her undergraduate degree in education from St. John College, and engaged in additional study at Ohio State University.

She began her ministry career as a primary classroom teacher with assignments at St. Joseph (Collinwood), Christ the King (East Cleveland), Holy Cross (Euclid), St. Therese (Garfield Heights), and St. Clare (Lyndhurst) schools. Sister Anne Clare left the classroom to serve in administration as treasurer at Ursuline Academy of the Sacred Heart, congregational leadership, and as local superior of the motherhouse community.

She returned to teaching with assignments at St. Jerome School (Cleveland) and at St. Mary School (Mentor), and concluded her formal ministry career as pastoral minister at the Mentor parish. She served in the congregation’s gift shop and in the ministries of prayer and presence. She continued to minister to her infirm sisters and other Regina Health Center residents until her own health declined.

Sister Anne Clare will be remembered for her dedicated service and her great care of others. She was a committed religious, a generous and compassionate minister, and a loving sister, aunt and friend.

She is survived by nieces and nephews.

Donations in her memory can be made to the Ursuline Sisters.