Sister M. Epiphania writes: I was born May 26, in Grand Rapids , MI and baptized (and given the name Anna) in Sacred Heart church of the same city. My father, John Myszka, born in Poland is a laborer. My mother, Stanislaia Nadolska Myszka was also born in Poland . The family has fifteen children – nine girls and six boys. Two children are dead.


I attended and graduated from Sacred Heart grammar school. I received my First Holy Communion, June 19, 1917 in Sacred Heart church and was confirmed on the same day by the Rt. Rev. Bishop J. Gallagher.

Seeing the joy and heartiness of my teachers in performing their duties toward their pupils, I was greatly attracted to them. After one year of high school at Mount Mary Academy , Grand Rapids , I entered our Candidature in Milwaukee , August 27, 1925. I was received July 29, 1927 and pronounced temporary vows, July 24, 1929. My health thus far has always been good. My greatest delight is to teach the little ones. They are so innocent and unspoiled.


Sister updated this in 1988 and wrote the following: Sister Mary Epiphania Myszka, the thirteenth of fifteen children, six boys and nine girls, was born May 26, 1908 to John and Stella (nee Nadolska) in Grand Rapids , MI . My parents were born in Poland and immigrated to America in 1884.


All of my six brothers are deceased. One of my sisters entered the Notre Dame Order. Sister Mary Austiniana in 1910. She is also deceased. The oldest remaining sister, ninety-two years old is Mrs. Goldie Sherman. The others follow in order: Mrs. Theresa Beane, Mrs. Bernice Skula, Mrs. Frances Eastman and Mrs. Rose Glab.


I enjoyed my school days at Sacred Heart School , Grand Rapids , and had a very happy home life with my brothers and sisters.


Most of my mission years were spent at St. Cryil and Methodius, Milwaukee , WI with 27 years teaching the first and second grades. My last mission was spent at St. Stanislaus , Michigan City, IN with 21 years of service, teaching the first communicants which was my "specialty." I also offered my services catechizing in White Cloud, MI, Pine Grove and Waupaca , WI .


It was at St. Stanislaus , Michigan City, after 56 years in the classroom that I felt the need of retiring. St. Isidore's is my home I have chosen and am enjoying doing things I could not have done otherwise. Crocheting and caring for plants are my hobbies.


Her funeral eulogy repeats most of what she had written in her autobiographies with the addition of:

Sister retired to St. Isidore, Grand Rapids in 1986 and spent 10 years there. When it became evident that she needed skilled care, Sister let go of all that she held dear in Grand Rapids and was transferred to St. Mary's Nursing Home, Milwaukee , on April 6, 1996. With a big smile she said she was going to spread joy to others and this she did. She had a warm smile and a kind word for everyone. She touched the lives of the staff and residents alike, telling them how much God loved them. She was instrumental in forming an intercommunity group who prayed together daily. Her rosary was with her constantly and words of love for Jesus and Mary always came to her lips. She would wheel herself to the chapel where she spent hours in quiet prayer. One of the Divine Savior Sisters (they owned the nursing home), commented: "What a grateful person she was. Everyone she met, she greeted with a smile; this was her apostolate. This nursing home will not be the same without her."

Sister died June 21, 1998 and is buried in the convent cemetery in Elm Grove , WI .