Mary Anne Burkardt, SCN, 85, (formerly Sister Marianna) was born March 11,1941, in Bellevue, KY, to Robert Burkardt and Blanche Hoff. She died March 19, 2026, in Louisville, KY. She was a Sister of Charity of Nazareth for 63 years.
As the firstborn child of 8, young Mary Anne was very helpful to her mother, assisting with her younger siblings and household chores. Her help was especially needed during the years her father served with the Army in WWII. When her father returned after four years of service, Mary Anne would attend daily Mass with him. When Sister Mary Anne felt a call to become a Sister of Charity of Nazareth, it was difficult to leave her family. She was nineteen years old when she left home for the convent on September 8, 1960. She would make her first vows three years later.
Sister Mary Anne’s earliest ministries were in education as a primary school teacher and principal. In Kentucky, she served at St. Joseph, St. Gabriel, St. Matthias, and St. Agnes. From 1970-1975, she helped with the beginnings and early growth of The de Paul School in Louisville, a school for children with learning differences.
She served her Sisters in the SCN Community in many ways. Over the years at Nazareth, she served as director of on-going development, director of retirement, and director of senior services. She also was active with the SCN Associate Program, serving on the Core Council and participating in Associate events.
Wanting to serve people on a spiritual level, Sister Mary Anne was pastoral minister at St. Francis of Assisi and St. Albert the Great, in Louisville. She brought her desire to serve in this way to Nazareth Home as director of mission and pastoral care. Upon her retirement in 2010, she continued to volunteer with Nazareth Home for many more years.
Sister Mary Anne is survived by siblings Nick Burkardt, Patty B Ramsey, Sara Lee (Sally) Wood, Kathy B Jeffers, Robert A Burkardt, Tony Burkardt, Thomas Burkardt, her extended family and her SCN Community.
Visitation will be 2pm-3pm Thursday, March 26, at Nazareth Home in Louisville, 2000 Newburg Road. She will arrive in Nazareth at 4pm Thursday, and a wake will follow at 6:30pm in St. Vincent Church, 134 Main Avenue, Nazareth, KY 40048.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10:30am Friday, March 27 at St. Vincent Church. Burial to follow at Nazareth Motherhouse Cemetery. Services will be streamed at nazareth.org/live.
Funeral Arrangements are being handled by Ratterman Funeral Home, 3800 Bardstown Road in Louisville. Memorials may be made to the Office of Mission Advancement, PO Box 9, Nazareth, KY, 40048.
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Mary Anne was a dear friend which started when she was principal in Uniontown, KY, and as her neighbor as principal at St. Ann’s, Morganfield, KY. Even though many years often intervened in our reuniting, Mary Anne always was ready with a shout “Liz!” followed by a great big hug when our paths crossed! While were neighbors, when snow days kept us out of school, Mary Anne was always ready for to take in a good movie. I loved Mary Anne, and looked forward to when our paths would cross again. What a deeply spiritual person, true disciple of Jesus, true in the SCN charism, she is now celebrating Easter with our Risen Lord in person! I can hear you, Mary Anne, singing “Alleluia”! I miss knowing you are not on this earth, but know we will see each other again some day. Peace, friend!
Sister Mary Anne has been my prayer partner for many years. I will always remember the time she talked me into dancing with joy down main aisle during processional into Mass. What fun. She was the first Sister my husband Jim met on his first trip as a guest to Nazareth when I had to abandon him to fly home for emergency with a parent.
In our home she will always be remembered and her soul prayed for often .
If someone could send us a funeral prayer card we would appreciate it!
Pam and Jim OConnell
5775 Acadia Drive.
Chattanooga TN 37415
I had the honor of meeting Sister Mary Anne at Nazareth Home when she became our Director of Pastoral Care, She loved her ministry and was so kind to all of the employees, families and elders.
This is what I remember most, while Sister Mary Anne was in that role, she would arrange retreat days for Nazareth Home employees to Nazareth Kentucky, she was so proud of the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth. What was special about her tours were that she would tell memories of her life there, the day she and another sister were asked to wash the windows in the old laundry and encountered a wasp nest, how hard the first year was away from her family, her cute A design dress and the fact that “she looked stunning in green”.
Her smile and presence are sorely missed, she always took such a great photo!! Beautiful smile.
She has left us with words of wisdom and so many memories, I hope she is now in the arms of Jesus, if anyone deserves to be there she does.
Sending peaceful thoughts to the family, may Sister Mary Anne’s spirit always be with you.
Miss you cousin Mary Anne. May you rest in peace.
Miss you cousin Mary Anne.
May you rest in peace and be met with loving arms by all who have gone before you! My thoughts and Prayers are with our family during this difficult time!
So sorry for the loss of your sister Mary Anne. Prayers for the entire Burkardt family and all that loved her! Dear God may this family have peace and comfort knowing Mary Anne is residing with you in heaven in Jesus name I pray!
She is also survived by seven siblings.
BONNIE AND NICK BURKARDT
PATTY RAMSEY
SALLY WOOD
DEB AND ROB BURKARDT
KATHY JEFFERS
TERRY AND TONY BURKARDT
PAM AND TOM BURKARDT
SHE IS ALSO SURVIVED BY
16 nieces, and nephews
25 great nieces and nephews
4 great great nieces and nephews
9 cousins
Sister Mary Anne Burkardt is survived by three sisters and four brothers. Her brother Nick and wife Bonnie Burkardt their children, Lisa, and Angela and her husband John Naphin their children, Julia and Alex. Her sister Patty Ramsey and her husband Jerry, who is deceased her children Tony Ramsey and his 2 boys Nicholas, and Felipe and daughter Chrissy Ramsey and Kelly. Sister Sally, Wood and husband Frank, who is deceased their children, Beth and her husband, Scott King, their children Courtney, Corey, and Frankie and granddaughter Paisley, Sarah, and her husband Todd Curtis and their children Lynnlee and Jason. Her brother Rob, and his wife Debbie Burkardt. Vanessa and Charlie and their grandchildren Scarlet and Violet. Sister Kathy Jeffers and her children, Steven Jeffers, Melissa Safi and her children Morgan and Hannah great grandchildren, Remi Knox and James. Devon and husband Jason Morris their children Bella, Evelyn Nora, Logan Maddie. Amy and her husband Jake Zink and their children Stella Levi and Noah. Her brother Tony and his wife Terry Burkardt, and two children, Robert and his wife Tina Burkardt and and they’re two sons Jacob and his wife, Maddison and their great grandchild Brooks and son Jared. Andy and Michelle Burkardt and their two children Gaby and Alyssa. Her brother Tom and his wife, Pam Burkardt, and their three children, Michael and his wife, Ashley, and their two children, Emma and Robbie, Sean and his wife Kristina and their three children, Natalie, Victoria, and Olivia. Colin and his wife Amanda. Mary Anne was beloved by all her family, all her brothers and sisters, her nieces, her nephews her great nieces, and nephews and her great great nieces and nephews and 9 surviving cousins. She will be miss greatly missed!!!
She was a wonderful Burkardt Sister and Aunt. Thank you for sharing her family.