Watson, Mother Richard Ann

An oral history of Mother Richard Ann Watson, a Sister of Charity of Seton Hill from 1932 until 1999. The interview was conducted by Sister Miriam Jane Hollowood and Sister Mary Justin Carr on November 8 and 10, 1987, January 14, 1988, and March 27, 1982.

Mother Richard Ann Watson was born on September 1st, 1916 in Scottdale, Pa. Daughter of Richard Watson and Anna Campbell, Mary Elizabeth Watson entered the community on September 8th, 1938 at the age of 22 as Sister Richard Ann Watson with her Reception of Habit on January 1st, 1933 and her Temporary Profession on January 1st, 1935. She was elected as Mother Superior from 1969 to 1977. 

As a young sister, Mother Richard Ann taught at Simon and Jude School in Blairsville. Mother Richard Ann was a music teacher in the Dioceses of Pittsburgh, Greensburg, and Altoona. From 1944 to 1959, she taught music at Cathedral School in Altoona. She taught from 1959 to 1967 at St. Anselm High School, Pittsburgh and also during that time she was a Music and Humanities Professor at Seton Hill College. 

After her election to Mother Superior, Mother Richard Ann went back to teaching at Seton Hill College from 1977 to 1989, where she went to part-time from 1984 to 1989. Then, from 1989 to 1993, Mother Richard Ann was the Music Librarian for Seton Hill College. 

Mother Richard Ann Watson received her B.A. of Music in Gregorian Chant and Organ from Manhattanville College of the Sacred Heart in 1946. She then pursued her M.A. of Music in Organ from Duquesne University in 1961. Mother Richard Ann co-authored "Unison Mass for Congregation" in honor of Elizabeth Ann Seton in 1965. She received the Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice Award from the Diocese of Greensburg in 1986 and was an Honorary Trustee on the Seton Hill College Board. Mother Richard Ann was baptized on September 17th, 1916 and her Final Procession was on May 2nd, 1949. 

Mother Richard Ann Watson passed on March 20th, 1999 at the age of 83.