Ethel Ann Meszaros

Ethel Ann Meszaros

Orlando, Florida

1931-2010



Ethel Ann Meszaros was born in Duquesne, Pennsylvania on February 16, 1931, the fourth child of Andrew and Mary ( Budai ) Meszaros. She attended elementary and secondary parochial schools there and entered the Order of The Sisters of the Divine Redeemer after high school. As Sister Mary Theophane, Ethel Ann, served with her Religious Order for over thirty two years. Ethel Ann is survived by her sister Gertrude (Glen) Groves and brother Robert (Lois) of Orlando as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins. She was predeceased by her parents and her brothers, Andrew , Ernie and James.

Initially assigned by her fellow religious as a First Grade Teacher, Ethel Ann's interest in nutrition and food services was immediately recognized . She was then dispatched to Weston County Hospital in Newcastle, Wyoming to serve as a dietitian. Formal training in dietetic services followed at Mount Mercy College in Pittsburgh, Pa ( now Carlow University) where she received her Bachelors Degree. Ethel Ann then interned at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester Minnesota and became a Registered Dietitian. Posted to Divine Redeemer Memorial Hospital in South Saint Paul, Minnesota for over twenty years, she served as Administrative and Clinical Dietitian and was also a member of the Hospital s Board of Trustees.

Ethel Ann was also elected to the position of Regional Superior of her Order and served twice as a delegate to Rome for several religious convocations after Vatican II. She was then transferred to Fitzgerald Mercy Hospital in Philadelphia, Penna for her final service as a religious. In all of her postings, Ethel Ann mentored many young religious nuns and students and was highly esteemed by all who knew her. She taught many nutrition classes to hospital staff s. She decided to retire from the Order in 1980.

Relocating to Orlando, Florida, Ethel Ann entered a new phase of her life . She secured a position as Director of Food Services at South Lake Memorial Hospital in Clermont, Florida where she worked for 15 years. Ethel Ann was very active in her dietetic professional associations and served as President of the American Society of Hospital Food Service Administrators of Orlando in 1986. She continued her service to the Catholic Church by joining Blessed Trinity Catholic Church in Orlando. There Ethel Ann served as a member of the Parish Council, Minister of the Word and Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion. She also cooked for the priests and made beautiful religious banners to decorate the church and for use in special ceremonies of the Orlando diocese. A cancer survivor, she retired in1996. She then traveled extensively,determined to see the world.

Ethel Ann became an avid fan of the Orlando Magic and attended many games and Magic functions. After retiring she assisted with promotional giveaways at Home Magic games. Always busy, Ethel Ann developed a love for Quilting and joined a group which made beautiful quilts. In her final years she became a caretaker for her brother Andrew( Bud) who required extensive nursing care. Andrew died in August 2009. Ethel Ann was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in November 2009. She leaves many friends . In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Blessed Trinity Building Fund 4545 Anderson Rd, Orlando Fl, 32812 or Vitas Hospice.