Anna was born in Leavenworth, Kansas on October 18, 1883. On October 16, 1901 her parents generously gave their only child back to God as she entered our community at Clyde as a postulant. She received the religious habit on April 21, 1902; offered her first vows to God on May 26, 1904 and on January 13 1912 made perpetual vows. The final seal was placed on her oblation November 16, 1952 by the Consecration of Virgins. She had the joy of celebrating both her Golden and her Diamond Jubilee.

Because of her being an only child, Sister's parents were granted the privilege of living at the convent for many years. Her assignments of duty were many and varied. For a time she was stationed at the Orphanage and taught in local schools. She also served as sacristan, but her longest assignment was that of public relations representative. On duty early and late, driving the car in foul weather and fair on business trips to Maryville and elsewhere, she was well schooled in self-sacrifice and charity.

Sister was a motherly person, blest with a cheerful sympathetic disposition, and made many lasting friends for the community. Though always ready for a hearty laugh, she was reserved in her business dealings, pleasant but not talkative, courteous and kind. Like her holy patron, St. Martin of Tours, she excelled in Christ-like charity. The workmen at Clyde loved and revered her as a mother and often entrusted little personal errands to her, such as purchasing gifts for their loved ones.

Another characteristic of Sister's was her great esteem for priests, for whom she offered many prayers and sacrifices. For years it was her duty to provide transportation for the confessors from the Abbey - a duty she considered a privilege. The Fathers in turn loved and respected her, as was evident in a special way by the many who came to give her their blessing in her last hours and who participated in her funeral services.

Sister M. Martina made her home at our San Diego convent for a short while, and spent about ten years at our Kansas City priory, as a semi-invalid. There her room was on the first floor in the center wing which brought her very close to the Blessed Sacrament as she could look across the patio almost into the sanctuary. To kneel in the sanctuary in adoration was her joy as long as she was physically able and when she could no longer take periods of official adoration she spent many hours in prayer in the balcony overlooking the sanctuary. It was a real sacrifice for her to move to an infirmary room when her declining health made this necessary. She helped in the altar bread department as long as she could. 

On June 6, 1966 Sister was brought back to Clyde in a serious condition. Though she rallied for a time and was able to be taken to the adoration chapel in a wheelchair on Sundays and feasts, she took a turn for the worse on August 1st. When she was brought Communion on August 5, the Feast of Our Lady of Snows, she repeated, “Jesus I love you” twice. These were to be her last audible words. She died peacefully several hours later in the 84th year of her life.