Ann Wagner, CSJP-A (1937-2023)

Ann Wagner was a woman of grace who truly lived the charism of Peace through Justice in her ministry to the poor and with each person she encountered.

Anna C. Harris was born to Richard and Elizabeth (Kerr) Harris on July 11, 1937. The family of five lived in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where Ann attended primary and secondary schools and the Art Institute of Pittsburgh for two years.

In 1961, Ann married Ronald Wagner. Together they raised four children, a son and three daughters who all supported Ann in her ministries. When Ron developed Parkinson’s disease years later, Ann cared for her loving husband through his battle. She was also present for her son Michael when he died of renal cancer at age 40.

For many years, Ann was a parishioner at St. Elizabeth’s Church in Wyckoff, New Jersey, where she was a co-leader of a large prayer group. During this time, she completed a two-year program of spiritual direction through the Archdiocese of New York and acted as substitute teacher in religion at Immaculate Heart Academy in the Township of Washington, New Jersey.

Ann was a seeker. She studied contemplative prayer with Father Thomas Keating and became interested in Zen Buddhism as it related to Christianity, eventually attaining the position of rōshi. Following the teachings of Father Thomas Merton, she went on to be ordained as a Christian Zen Minister.

For 12 years, Ann was active at Eva’s Village, an organization dedicated to helping individuals overcome poverty, in Paterson, New Jersey. Beginning as a volunteer, she eventually became its director. Ann later co-founded her own charity, Oasis —A Haven for Women and Children. She saw it grow from an initiative dedicated to providing hot meals to women and children in a church hall in Paterson to a center that still supplies basic needs but focuses on educational and training programs that prepare women for the workforce and help children and teens thrive in their schools and future careers.

Ann covenanted with the Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace in the second class of associates and was involved in many facets of the community. She was part of the Associate Core Group, an Associate Co-Director, and a member of the 21st Congregational Chapter Planning Committee. Her deep commitment to spiritual ecology led her to serve on the Waterspirit Advisory Board for eight years.

Ann Wagner died on May 19, 2023. She was predeceased by her husband Ronald, her son Michael, and her sisters, Betty Thompson and Mary Blanche Harris. She is survived by her daughters, Lisa, Rachel, and Jennifer, her grandchildren, and great grandchildren.

Ann was a mentor and friend to many, and we were privileged to share in her journey as she lived Jesus’s call to love.