Sister Betty Ann Maheu
Current Mission Location – Maryknoll Sisters Center- Maryknoll, NY
Betty Ann Maheu was born in Beauceville, Quebec, Canada January 9, 1923 and grew up in Maine. Her foster parents were Christine Maheu and Olivier Veilleux Maheu. She had 4 sisters and 4 brothers. Betty Ann graduated from Waterville High School, Waterville, ME in 1940. She earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English from Emmanuel College, Boston, MA in 1945.
Betty Ann entered the Maryknoll Sisters September 6, 1949 at the Sisters Center in NY. She professed First Vows March 7, 1952 at the Center and Final Vows March 7, 1955 in Hawaii. Two and a half years after First Profession (in 1954) she received her first mission assignment: teaching high school on the island of Maui, in Hawaii. In 1958, Sister Betty Ann attended the University of Hawaii where she earned a Master of Arts Speech Degree. Over the next 18 years, she continued her work on the island of Oahu, serving as Supervisor of both: Maryknoll Schools in Hawaii and in the Marshall Islands as well as an Administrative Assistant to the Diocese of Honolulu.
Sr. Betty Ann served on the Maryknoll Sisters governing board for the next eight years, following which she spent six years in Rome with the International Union of Superiors General. During this time she lived out her mission in diverse ways, including coordinating publications for the Major Superiors of the world, and ministering to Ethiopian refugees during their sojourn in Rome.
In 1990, after gaining experience teaching in Xiamen, China, Sister Betty Ann was assigned to the Maryknoll mission in Hong Kong. At this time, the political and ecclesial environment was such that many outsiders remained ignorant of the true state of the Church in China. Since then, however, Sister Betty Ann has worked tirelessly to make known the situation, always in the light of justice and Christian understanding. While in Hong Kong she conducted first-hand research on the Catholic Church in China, incorporating this work as editor of the bilingual journal Tripod. Sister Betty Ann lived and worked in China for more than 16 years, working to aid the poor and marginalized and actively promoting goals ranging from Church unity to gender equality.
Upon returning to the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY at the age of 83, Sister Betty Ann was asked to complete the history of the Maryknoll Sisters in the China Region, including Hong Kong and Macau in recent history with her book, Maryknoll Sisters in Hong Kong, Macau, China: 1968-2007. She also volunteered in the Congregational Secretariat Office, assisting with inquiries and archives.
Today she is fully retired enjoying her days with a focus on reflection and prayer.