水果派

Sister Annette Debs, CSJ ‘61, leaves behind a legacy deeply intertwined with Mount Saint Mary’s University — a place she first called home as an undergraduate student and later served with devotion as a member of the Board of Trustees.

A proud Mount alumna, Sr. Annette carried the University’s mission of service and justice into every chapter of her life. Long before her remarkable career took shape, the values she nurtured at the Mount guided her path and fueled her fierce commitment to others. When she returned decades later as a Trustee in 2014, she brought not only her sharp intellect and professional insight but also her abiding love for the University community. Her six years on the Board were marked by generosity of spirit, thoughtful leadership, and a deep belief in the transformative power of a Mount education.

Sr. Annette was a trailblazer in CSJ ministry throughout her 67 years of service. She broke new ground as the first in the Province to be elected Parish Councilor at the Newman Center Parish in Fresno and as part of the first three-member team ministry approved by the Archdiocese of Los Angeles to administer Nativity Parish in South Central Los Angeles. A gifted educator, she taught math and religious studies at both the elementary and high school levels before becoming the first member of her congregation to attend law school, earning her degree from Southwestern University School of Law in 1978.

As an attorney with the Community Law Center in Santa Ana, she served low-income families, immigrants, and survivors of domestic abuse with profound compassion. When clients were unable to pay, Sr. Annette quietly took on a part-time job to ensure the clinic could continue its work — a testament to her unwavering commitment to justice. In 1992, she was appointed an Administrative Law Judge with the State of California, where she served with distinction for 18 years.

Beloved for her joyful spirit and unmistakably boisterous laugh, Sr. Annette touched countless lives. She delighted in books and movies, cherished community, and lived her faith with purpose and heart. She remains a shining example of what it means to lead with courage, compassion, and conviction.