Associate Anne Tigan
Enjoys Dominican Connections
by Associate Paula McKenzie
Anne Tigan
Associate Anne Tigan first met the Dominicans of Sinsinawa when she signed up to take a course at Edgewood College. Anne said that after one course, she was hooked. In 1999, she completed a master’s degree in religious studies there. Her experience at Edgewood College was “fantastic!”
During her time at Edgewood, Anne often heard others talk about the Mound in ways that piqued her interest. She immediately felt the special spirit of Sinsinawa when she first visited there. It was while she was at the Mound that she came across information about the Associates. Since she was interested in staying connected with the Dominicans of Sinsinawa, Anne applied to become an Associate. Eileen Quinn, OP, and Associate Diane O’Connor interviewed Anne prior to her acceptance as an Associate. Along with the interview came friendships that are still important eight years later. Anne made her commitment to the Dominicans as an Associate at the Mound 2001 fall gathering.
She laughingly said that she was asked to be on the Associate board “30 minutes” after she made her commitment. She has served the Associates two terms as a board member, and that has been a good experience for her. Anne “got right into the inner workings and the issues of the Associates.” She was impressed by the ways Dominicans handle the work of continuing to develop the Associate partnership. She appreciates their creativity and collaboration. The Dominican Sisters inspire her with their spirituality, and she longs to learn more from them to enhance her own spiritual journey.
Currently, Anne serves on the program advisory board, a group that plans retreats and programs for the Mound. She is also an active leader in planning for the fall Associate weekend. Once again this fall, Sisters and Associates who attend the weekend will be treated to prayer times that Anne has helped create.
Anne grew up in DeKalb, IL, the third of seven children. Her family moved to the San Francisco Bay area when she was in junior high school. She went on to receive her bachelor’s degree in English from the University of California–Berkeley. After graduation, she worked in publishing for a number of years but discovered she wanted to work more with people.
At that time, the bachelor of science degree for nursing (BSN) was just coming into its own. According to Anne, UW-Madison had one of the most progressive BSN programs. She moved to Madison in 1981 and went on to complete a nursing degree. Since then, she has worked as a pediatric nurse at both St. Mary’s Hospital and the UW Hospital in Madison. She also served as a part-time parish nurse at St. John Lutheran and Lakeview Lutheran churches. Anne currently works at the new UW Pediatric Children’s Hospital.
Anne says she has a daily practice of recollection that starts with knowing that she is part of the Sinsinawa Dominican community. “I am part of this community that is striving to live the Gospel and that gives me strength,” she reflects.