March 14, 1929 – January 21, 2025
Please join us in celebrating the life and mourning the death of Sister Annabelle Raiche, CSJ, who died peacefully on January 21, 2025, at Carondelet Village in St. Paul, Minnesota.
Annabelle was gracious, humorous and a passionate teacher who loved crosswords, reading, ice cream, and above all her family. She was born during the Great Depression in Minneapolis on March 14, 1929, to Walter and Louise Golly) Raiche.
When Annabelle was 12 her family moved to San Francisco. It was there that Annabelle began decerning a life as a sister and, as a way to honor her mother, made the decision to go back to St. Paul in 1946 to join the Sisters of St.Joseph of Carondelet.
Her vast educational path included a bachelor of arts in history from the College of St. Catherine (now University) in St. Paul (1960), a master’s of education in educational administration from Boston College (1962), and a doctorate in education from the University of Minnesota (1965).
Sister Annabelle was first missioned as a teacher and principal at many CSJ-run Twin City schools (1949-61), and after earning her master’s, became a professor and later the department chair of education at St. Catherine’s (1965-72). She flourished there, meticulously teaching students to become professional, passionate teachers.
Sister Annabelle was deeply committed to our community, serving on many committees including the Congregational Leadership Team in St. Louis from 1972-1978. She returned to teaching in 1978 as a professor of education at St. Catherine’s, where she remained until her retirement in 1996. She was instrumental in founding the Phi Lambda Theta chapter at St. Catherine’s and was an officer of the organization for 30 years.
In the summer of 1973, while attending classes on Ignatian spirituality in San Francisco, Annabelle was invited to stand in solidarity with the United Farmworkers who were seeking just contracts with the growers. During the rally Annabelle, two other CSJ sisters, and 90 others were arrested and spent two weeks praying and fasting on water and juice. Upon her release, she said “If you want the cross, start working for justice. Spirituality has to be lived in the context of the real world.” Prophetic wisdom from an amazing woman who will be missed by all who knew her.
Annabelle is preceded in death by her parents; sisters Marguerite Kettler, Lorraine Irving and Bernadette Gordon; and brother, Al Raiche. She is survived by many nieces, nephews, grand- and great-grand-nieces and nephews; dear friends; and the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet and Consociates.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, February 21, 2025, at 11 :00 a.m. in Our Lady of the Presentation Chapel, 1884 Randolph Avenue, St. Paul, with burial following at Resurrection Cemetery in Mendota Heights.
Memorials in her honor preferred to the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet, St. Paul Province Retirement Fund.
Dear Annabelle, rest in love and peace.