Ann Walsh was born at Penshurst, Sydney to Edward Robert Walsh and Anne Walsh (Scanlan) on the 7th May 1915. She was the fifth child of seven. Sister of Kathleen, Margaret Mary, Dorothy and Edward, (all deceased) Sr Denise (LCM) and Von.

Ann received her primary education at St Columbanus’ Leichhardt, Sydney and her secondary education as a boarder at San Clemente Mayfield, Newcastle.

Ann entered the Dominican Convent at Maitland, NSW on the 2nd February 1934 and was professed as Sr Mary Mannes on 28th November 1936. 

She trained as a Primary teacher and after her profession was assigned to teach deaf children.  Ann began her ministry in 1937 teaching in  Waratah and Maitland NSW;  Portsea, Vic;  the Motor Mission for the religious education of deaf children in South Australia with our “Cabra” Dominican Sisters; and Mayfield, NSW. On her retirement in 1979 she continued her ministry to the deaf community at the Ephpheta Centre in Sydney and was also a support person for refugees.   Ann continued this ministry when she moved to Newcastle in 2005.

In 1989 ‘Ann Walsh House’ opened at Lewisham to replace the Ephpheta Centre at Paddington. This was at the request of the deaf community,  the new name expressing their esteem and love of Ann.

In 1995 Ann received the Order of Australia Medal for her service to people with hearing impairment.

Ann was a gentle, caring woman whose loving presence meant so much to so many. She was a faith filled Dominican for 76 years.

Motto: "Credo"