Sr. Ann Nett, IHM, age 85, died Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026, surrounded by her IHM family.
Ann Clare Nett was born Nov. 24, 1940, in Saratoga General Hospital, Detroit, Michigan, to Gordon J. and Clara A. (Biehl) Nett. The family attended St. Catherine and St. Brendan Parishes in Detroit. Ann attended St. Catherine schools and graduated from high school in 1958. She entered the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (Monroe) and received the religious name Sister Marie Nora. Sister Marie Nora studied and earned a bachelor’s degree at Marygrove College. She began teaching at Holy Name and St. Regis Schools in Birmingham, and at La Merced in Puerto Rico.
Her greatest service and longest tenure was her assignment to Recife, Brazil, a mission established by the Archdiocese of Detroit to Olinda-Recife Pernambuco, in the 1970s. Sister Ann held varied roles: educator, pastoral minister and leader of adult education and evangelization in a parish setting. Fluent in Portuguese and Spanish, she was successful in building small-group community among workers and women. Her desire to be among the poor and to work for change was evident in her continued ministry of the vicariate connection to Recife mission for many years. She wrote of her lifetime ministry in a mission commitment as “a special love for and commitment to the poor and oppressed.” She continued her ministry as pastoral associate at San Antonio parish in Cabo, Brazil. Her ministry in Brazil extended over 30 years.
Sister Ann returned to Michigan in 2006 and resided at Hartmann Hall on the Marygrove College campus. She represented IHM's presence on campus, contributed to Hilde Garden, participated in the Marygrove Community Association and ministered for Compassionate Companions. She was a longtime advocate for systemic change in worker solidarity and ecological concerns. Upon moving to the Motherhouse, she enjoyed the fellowship of the community, St. Mary Organic Garden and advocating for social justice.
Sister Ann is survived by her sister Lois Siekierski, nieces and nephews, and her IHM Sisters in community. She was preceded by brothers Norman, George, Patrick, Joseph and Allan.
Services were held at the IHM Motherhouse Chapel, 610 W. Elm Avenue, Monroe, on Feb. 19, 2026. Green burial has taken place on St. Mary Cemetery. Arrangements in care of Rupp Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to the IHM Retirement Fund, 610 W. Elm Avenue, Monroe, MI 48162-7909.
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