Sister Ann Thomas Mullen (formerly Elizabeth M. Mullen) died on February 18, 2026 in Camilla Hall, having celebrated her centenary birthday in the summer. Born on July 31, 1925, she was raised the only child of her father Thomas J. Mullen and her mother Anne E. [McClain] Mullen in St. Helena parish, their lifelong residence, where she was baptized Elizabeth. She attended elementary school there and grew up in an area in which she witnessed many changes across time. First attending St. Mary’s Academy for freshman year, she transferred to the then newly opened Little Flower High School for her subsequent three years, graduating in 1943. Entering the congregation on September 8, 1944, Elizabeth received her habit and religious name of Sister M. Ann Thomas on August 16, 1945. Sister studied at Immaculata College in the 1950s and 60s, completing degrees in both Theology and Special Education in 1962. While stationed in California, she also completed dual Master’s degrees in English and in Education for Counseling and Guidance from University of Santa Clara in 1971.
In her first decade of teaching Sister Ann Thomas taught in elementary schools in and near Philadelphia, serving first in Holy Name parish school followed then by Immaculate Conception, Germantown, both in fifth grade. Beginning in 1947 she moved to other area schools including St. Monica, Philadelphia for third grade, St. Catherine, Reading for fifth and sixth grades, and Incarnation, Philadelphia for eighth. Sister’s next transition in 1955 took her to the special call of teaching for 10 years in St. Lucy School for the Blind while residing at St. Francis de Sales Convent. In 1965 Sister was transferred to Our Lady of Pompei parish where she served as both superior and principal. In 1967, Sister’s move took her across country to serve again in the dual roles of superior and principal, as well as grade 4 teacher, at St. Simon parish in Los Altos, CA.
With the death of Sister Ann Thomas’s father in 1973, she assumed the role of caregiver in many ways for her mother. Returning to Philadelphia, Sister Ann again took up the roles of superior and principal, this time at St. Edmond School, then subsequently she served as eighth grade teacher at St. William parish in 1974. Sister resumed the dual roles of superior/principal in 1976 at Immaculate Conception parish in Germantown. In 1982 she returned as a teacher at St. William School in grade 6 from 1982 to 1986. Following that service, while residing at Incarnation, Sister Ann served as the office assistant in Cardinal Dougherty High School from 1986 through 1989, as well as undertaking part-time home care for her mother. In 1989 Sister Ann moved to Holy Savior, Norristown where for the next seven years she offered religious instruction throughout the school.
In 1996, Sister Ann Thomas moved to Camilla Hall, first as full-time staff residing in Pacis Hall and in 2004 moving to Camilla Hall. As an only child, Sister is survived by several devoted cousins and is remembered well by members of her lifelong home parish of St. Helena in Philadelphia.
Sister M. Ann Thomas Mullen’s Funeral Liturgy was celebrated on Tuesday, February 24, 2026. Reverend John Burger, CSC, was the main celebrant and homilist and Reverend Francis Chambers, OSA joined Father Burger around the altar.
In Sister M. Ann Thomas Mullen’s memory, a memorial donation may be sent to:
Camilla Hall Nursing Home
IHM Mission Advancement Office
230 IHM Drive
Malvern, PA 19355