By Rebecca Goodman
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Sister Loretta Ann

NORTH COLLEGE HILL - Sister of Mercy Loretta Ann Bertrand Bruewer, 97, died Oct. 22 at McAuley Convent here. She was the oldest Sister of Mercy in the Cincinnati Regional Community.

"Sister was a very gentle woman," said Loraine Marie Peter, director of communications for McAuley. "She was beautiful-looking till the day she died - impeccably dressed, always a very stylish person."

Sister Loretta Ann entered the novitiate from St. Boniface Parish in 1924 and professed her vows in 1927.

She was a wonderful teacher and popular principal, according to Peter.

Sister Loretta Ann was principal of the old Blessed Sacrament School in Lower Price Hill, Our Lady of Lourdes in Westwood, St. Ignatius in Monfort Heights and Nativity in Pleasant Ridge. She taught at the old St. Edward School downtown, St. Margaret of Cortona in Madisonville, the old Our Lady of Grace in Lower Price Hill and Mother of Mercy High School in Westwood.

She also taught in Piqua and Urbana, Ohio.

Sister Loretta Ann left the classroom to become secretary at the old Edgecliff College. She retired at 81.

Survivors include a brother-in-law, Howard C. Sweeney of Cincinnati; and a nephew, Michael T. Sweeney of Price Hill.

Services have been held.

Memorials may be sent to: Sisters of Mercy Ministry Fund, 2335 Grandview Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45206.

E-mail rgoodman@enquirer.com