(1941-2026)

Sister Joan Krajewski, formerly known as Sister Marie Kilian, died on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, at the Dominican Life Center in Adrian. She was 85 years of age and in the 66th year of her religious profession in the Adrian Dominican Congregation.
 
Sister Joan was born in Highland Park, Michigan, to Walter and Genevieve (Ringvelski) Krajewski. She graduated from Dominican High School in Detroit and received a bachelor’s degree in history from Siena Heights College (University) in Adrian and a master’s degree in institutional administration from the University of Notre Dame, in Notre Dame, Indiana.
 
Sister ministered for 36 years in elementary and secondary education in Mundelein, Chicago, Oak Lawn, and Wilmette, Illinois. This includes more than 22 years of teaching at Regina Dominican High School, a legacy institution of the Congregation, in Wilmette. She also served for six years as an administrator for the Adrian Dominican Retirement Program in Adrian and then in Hometown, Illinois. Sister became a resident of the Dominican Life Center in 2008.
 
Sister Joan was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Daniel. She is survived by other loving family members, friends, and her Adrian Dominican Sisters.
 
Visitation will be held from 6:30 to 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, in the gathering space of St. Catherine Chapel. The Vigil Prayer will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, in St. Catherine Chapel. A Funeral Mass will be offered in St. Catherine Chapel at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, August 26, 2026. Prayers of Committal will be held in the Congregation Cemetery. 

Those not attending the upcoming services in person are welcome to participate via livestream at https://adriandominicans.org/Live-Stream.

Memorial gifts may be made to Adrian Dominican Sisters, 1257 East Siena Heights Drive, Adrian, MI, 49221. Funeral arrangements are being handled by Anderson-Marry Funeral Services, Adrian.

Sister's Memorial Card (PDF)

 

 

Vigil and Funeral Recordings

Note: To view recordings with closed captioning, they must be viewed on our public video library rather than through the links below.

Recording of Sister Joan's Vigil Service - After clicking the link, download the recording by right-clicking on the video choosing "Save video as." Worship Aid (PDF)

Recording of Sister Joan's Funeral Mass - After clicking the link, download the recording by right-clicking on the video choosing "Save video as." Worship Aid (PDF)

 

LEFT: Walter and his daughter Joan, with Penny, 1943. MIDDLE LEFT: Joan at 3 years old. MIDDLE RIGHT: First holy Communion, 1949. RIGHT: 1959 graduate of Dominican High School, Detroit.

LEFT: Entrance Day, 1959. MIDDLE: Sister Marie Kilian at St. Mary Star of the Sea School in Chicago, where she taught from 1963 to 1967. RIGHT: Sister Marie Kilian with her parents, Genevieve and Walter, and her brother Dan on Reception Day, 1959.

LEFT: From left, Sisters Pauline Opliger, Joan Krajewski, and Marion O’Connor enjoy a special event sponsored by Regina Dominican High School. MIDDLE: Sister Joan Krajewski and Regina Dominican High School students attend a pep rally in 2004. RIGHT: Sister Joan Krajewski responds with joy when she wins a raffle prize at a Regina Dominican high school event.

Members of the 2019 Diamond Jubilee Crowd are: back row from left: Sisters Rosemarie Kieffer, Peter Anthony Schulte, Christa Marsik, Sean Eileen Allgeyer, Sarah Ann Sharkey, Jo Ann Jauquet, and Helen Wilson; middle row from left, Sisters Mary Diane McMeekin, Susan Van Baalen, Beverly Bobola, Jean Keeley, Rosemary Zuccaro, and Joan Marie Weithman; and front row from left, Sisters Joan Krajewski, Mary Emidio Singer, Mary Jean Clemenger, Patricia Janowicz, Delores DeBets, Joan Christine Meerschaert, and Donna Markham (Prioress).

Leave your comments and remembrances – if you don't see the comment box below, click on the "Read More" link.

(1934-2026)

Sister Barbara Gentry died on Tuesday, August 4, 2026, at the Dominican Life Center in Adrian, Michigan. She was 91 years of age and in the 72nd year of her religious profession. 

In 1955 Sister Barbara made profession as a Benedictine Sister of Bristow, Virginia, and was known as Sister Mary John Gentry. She transferred to the Adrian Dominican Congregation in 1983 and was in her 44th year of profession in the Adrian Dominican Congregation.

Sister Barbara was born in Richmond, Virginia, to James and Catherine (Nash) Gentry. She graduated from St. Gertrude High School in Richmond and received a bachelor’s degree in theology from La Roche College in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and a master’s degree in religious education from Fordham University in New York. She was also certified as a massage therapist by the Carolina School of Massage Therapy in Carrboro, North Carolina.

Sister ministered six years in secondary education in Richmond. She was a pastoral minister for 22 years in Richmond and Ashland, Virginia, and Myrtle Beach and Conway, South Carolina, and a massage therapist for two years at the Institute of Higher Learning in Richmond. Sister Barbara also served the Congregation as a pastoral minister for six years at Maria Health Care Center in Adrian. She became a resident of the Dominican Life Center in 2014.

Sister Barbara was preceded in death by her parents. She is survived by loving family members and her Adrian Dominican Sisters.

Prayers of Committal were held on Thursday, August 6, 2026, in the Congregation Cemetery. The Vigil Prayer will be held at 7:00 p.m. ET on Tuesday, August 18 in St. Catherine Chapel. A Memorial Mass will be offered at 10:30 a.m. ET on Wednesday, August 19 in St. Catherine Chapel. Those not attending the upcoming services in person are welcome to participate via livestream at https://adriandominicans.org/Live-Stream.

Memorial gifts may be made to Adrian Dominican Sisters, 1257 East Siena Heights Drive, Adrian, MI, 49221. Funeral arrangements are being handled by Anderson-Marry Funeral Services, Adrian.

Sister's Memorial Card (PDF)

Vigil and Funeral Recordings

Note: To view recordings with closed captioning, they must be viewed on our public video library rather than through the links below.

Recording of Sister Barbara's Vigil Service - After clicking the link, download the recording by right-clicking on the video choosing "Save video as." Worship Aid (PDF)

Recording of Sister Barbara's Funeral Mass - After clicking the link, download the recording by right-clicking on the video choosing "Save video as." Worship Aid (PDF)

 

LEFT: Baby Barbara with her great-grandmother Gentry, 1935. MIDDLE RIGHT: Barbara as a seventh grader. RIGHT: Sister Barbara Gentry (Sister Mary John Gentry, OSB), with her uncle, Monsignor William Stephen Walsh of the Diocese of Youngstown, Ohio, and her cousins, twins Barney and Brian.

LEFT: Sister Barbara Gentry, standing, with Sister Mary Rosaleen Martin, 1983. MIDDLE: Sister Barbara Gentry with Ubu, 1997. RIGHT: Members of the 1986 Pastoral Care Team at Maria are, from left, Sisters Grace Dougherty, Barbara Gentry, and Jean Elizabeth Nugent.

Members of the New South Mission Group are, from left, Sisters Barbara Hubbard, Betty Condon, Carol Dulka, Mary Lequier, Barbara Gentry, and Susan Kresse.

Members of the 2014 Diamond Jubilee August Crowd are: back row, from left, Sisters Ana Feliz, Susan Mary Parker, Joyce Hibbert, and Patricia McCarty; middle row, from left, Sisters Diane Weifenbach, Barbara Gentry, Dorita Wotiska, Mary Trzasko, Dorothy Dempsey, Beth Ellen Butler, and Phyllis Kreiner; and front row, from left, Sisters Jeanine Boivin, Anele Heiges, Yolanda Pomante, and Ruth Anne Kelly. Not pictured are Sisters Louise Borgacz and Alice Marie Schmid.

Leave your comments and remembrances – if you don't see the comment box below, click on the "Read More" link.

(1934-2026)

Sister Frances “Fran” Madigan, baptized Laverne Frances Madigan and formerly known as Sister Frances Dennine, died on Sunday, August 2, 2026, at the Dominican Life Center in Adrian. She was 91 years of age and in the 73rd year of her religious profession in the Adrian Dominican Congregation.
 
Sister Fran was born in Chicago to Dennis and Josephine (Desmedt) Madigan. She graduated from Loretto Academy in Chicago and received a bachelor’s degree in English from Siena Heights College (University) in Adrian and a master’s degree in reading from Northern Illinois University, DeKalb.  
 
She ministered for more than 30 years in education in Detroit, Michigan; Aiken, South Carolina; Melbourne and Boynton Beach, Florida; and Mundelein, Elgin, and Chicago, Illinois. This includes one year as principal at St. Laurence in Chicago, five years as principal at Our Lady of Lourdes in Melbourne, and one year as director of education at the Sylvan Learning Center in Boynton Beach.
 
Sister Fran served the Congregation for four years as the complex administrator in Adrian. She ministered for eight years as director of social ministry at St. Joan of Arc Parish, Boca Raton, Florida, and spent seven years in parish ministry at St. Jude Parish, also in Boca Raton. She served as a health clinic administrator for the Migrant Association South Florida (now the Caridad Center) in Boynton Beach. From 2006 on she held several volunteer positions in Boca Raton, New Orleans, and Adrian.  Sister became a resident of the Dominican Life Center in 2018.
 
Sister Fran was preceded in death by her parents; a sister, Frances Madigan; and two brothers, Lawrence Madigan and Dennis Madigan, Jr. She is survived by two brothers, Terrence Madigan (Marleen) and Thomas Madigan; one sister, Karen Wimer; other loving family members; and her Adrian Dominican Sisters.
 
Visitation will be held from 6:30  to 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, August 5, 2026, in the gathering space of St. Catherine Chapel. The Vigil Prayer will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, August 5, 2026, in St. Catherine Chapel. A Funeral Mass will be offered in St. Catherine Chapel at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, August 6, 2026. Prayers of Committal will be held in the Congregation Cemetery. 

Those who are not attending services in person are welcome to participate via livestream at https://adriandominicans.org/Live-Stream.

Memorial gifts may be made to Adrian Dominican Sisters, 1257 East Siena Heights Drive, Adrian, MI, 49221. Funeral arrangements are being handled by Anderson-Marry Funeral Services, Adrian.

Sister's Memorial Card (PDF)

Vigil and Funeral Recordings

Note: To view recordings with closed captioning, they must be viewed on our public video library rather than through the links below.

Recording of Sister Fran's Vigil Service - After clicking the link, download the recording by right-clicking on the video choosing "Save video as." Worship Aid (PDF)

Recording of Sister Fran's Funeral Mass - After clicking the link, download the recording by right-clicking on the video choosing "Save video as." Worship Aid (PDF)

 

LEFT: Laverne, circa 1940. MIDDLE LEFT: Graduation photo of Laverne, the future Sister Frances Madigan, 1947. MIDDLE: Laverne, the future Sister Francis, age 9, with her baby sister Franny. MIDDLE RIGHT: Sister Frances Dennine, 1958.

LEFT: Sisters Carmen Rose Álvarez, OP, seated, and Sister Frances Madigan. MIDDLE: From left, Sisters Elizabeth Ross, Linda Bevilacqua, Luisa Campos, Lorraine Sinn, and Frances Madigan, 2012. RIGHT: From left, Sisters Carmen Álvarez, Eileen Sullivan, and Frances Madigan.

LEFT: Taking part in the Diocese of Palm Beach Jubilee celebration on May 13, 2017, are, from left, Sisters Mary Therese Napolitan (60 years), Donna Baker (50 years), Imelda Marie Eckhoff (70 years), and Frances Madigan (65 years). RIGHT: From left, Sisters Jeanne Lefebvre, Carol Denise Koenig, and Frances Madigan in the Dominican Life Center lobby.

Members of the Diamond Jubilarian Crowd of 2012 are: back row, from left, Sisters Dorothy Booms, Lorraine Pepin, Carolyn Nelson, Reta Drexler, Arlene Marie Kosmatka, Frances Madigan, and Attracta Kelly (Prioress); middle row, from left, Sisters Kathryn Hartnett, Marguerite Renuart, Maureen Keeler, Lorraine Sinn, and Cora Marie Campbell; and front row, from left, Sisters Anne Cenci, Ann Kelly, Joann Weigang, and Magdalena Ezoe.  

Leave your comments and remembrances – if you don't see the comment box below, click on the "Read More" link.

(1939-2026)

Martha was unique. Martha often took the unlikely road. Or, as in Robert Frost’s famous poem, she frequently traversed the less traveled road.

This quote comes from Sister Nancyann Turner’s remembrance of Sister Martha Napior at Sister Martha’s wake. Sister Nancyann, who entered the Congregation alongside Sister Martha, remembered her compatriot in the St. Dominic Crowd as someone who loved nature, frequently took in homeless animals, and followed God’s call to minister in a wide variety of settings.

“We trust that the roads, even the less traveled roads, have brought you peace and brought you home to your God,” Sister Nancyann wrote.

Martha Camilla Ann Napiorkowski – the family name was shortened later on – was born on July 27, 1939, to Dominic and Stella (Popielarski) Napior. Dominic, or Dominick as it appears to have been originally, came to the U.S. from Poland in 1912, while Stella (a name Americanized from Stanislava, her birth name) was born in Pennsylvania.

Eventually, Dominic and Stella both ended up in Hamtramck, Michigan, a small city located within Detroit that at the time was almost entirely Polish. The couple were married in 1922 at St. Florian Church in Hamtramck and went on to have five children in all: Edward, Arthur, Loretta, Marcella, and Martha. Marcella died in 1938 at just nine months of age. Dominic was employed at one of the area’s automobile factories, while Stella supervised the home front.

Martha attended nearby St. Augustine School in Detroit for the elementary grades and the first two years of high school. The school was staffed by Adrian Dominican Sisters, and from about the age of twelve she knew she wanted to enter the Congregation. With her parents’ consent, when her sophomore year of high school was complete in June 1955 she came to Adrian to enter the postulate. She was not quite sixteen years old at the time.

Read more about Sister Martha (PDF)

Memorial gifts may be made to Adrian Dominican Sisters, 1257 East Siena Heights Drive, Adrian, MI, 49221. Funeral arrangements are being handled by Anderson-Marry Funeral Services, Adrian.

Sister's Memorial Card (PDF)

Vigil and Funeral Recordings

Note: To view recordings with closed captioning, they must be viewed on our public video library rather than through the links below.

Recording of Sister Martha's Vigil Service - After clicking the link, download the recording by right-clicking on the video choosing "Save video as." Worship Aid (PDF)

Recording of Sister Martha's Memorial Mass - After clicking the link, download the recording by right-clicking on the video choosing "Save video as." Worship Aid (PDF)

Leave your comments and remembrances – if you don't see the comment box below, click on the "Read More" link.