(1934-2023)

Sister Joan Marconi, formerly known as Sister Joseph Elaine Marconi, died at the Dominican Life Center in Adrian on Thursday, September 14, 2023. She was 89 and in the 73rd year of her religious profession in the Adrian Dominican Congregation.

Sister Joan was born in Boston, Massachusetts, to Armand and Irene (Gagliardi) Marconi. She graduated from St. Joseph Academy in Adrian, received a bachelor’s degree in biology and a master’s degree in mixed sciences from Siena Heights College (University) in Adrian, and earned a bachelor’s degree in occupational therapy from Florida International University in Miami. 

Sister ministered in elementary and secondary education for 26 years in Walled Lake, Michigan; St. Charles, Joliet, and Chicago, Illinois; and Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach, Florida. This includes two years at Rosarian Academy, a legacy institution of the Congregation, in West Palm Beach. 

Sister Joan also served in occupational therapy for more than 16 years in Fort Lauderdale, North Miami, Miami Shores, Boynton Beach, and West Palm Beach, all in Florida. This includes three years as chair of the Occupational Therapy Department at Barry University, a sponsored institution of the Congregation in Miami Shores. She served the Congregation for five years as the Director of Plant Operations and four years as a staff member in the Office of Information. 

Sister Joan became a resident of the Dominican Life Center in Adrian in 2012. She was preceded in death by her parents and is survived by loving family members and her Adrian Dominican Sisters.

Visitation will be held from 6:30 to 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 19, 2023, in the gathering space of St. Catherine Chapel. The Vigil Prayer will be at 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, September 19, 2023, in St. Catherine Chapel. A Funeral Mass will be offered in St. Catherine Chapel at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, September 20, 2023. Prayers of Committal will be held in the Congregation Cemetery. 

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

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

Sister's Memorial Card (PDF)

 

Vigil and Funeral Recordings

Recording of Sister Joan's Vigil Service - After clicking the link, download the recording by clicking on the three dots at the bottom right corner of the screen and choosing "Download." Worship Aid (PDF)

Recording of Sister Joan's Funeral Mass - After clicking the link, download the recording by clicking on the three dots at the bottom right corner of the screen and choosing "Download." Worship Aid (PDF)

 

Left: Joan, at six weeks, in the arms of her mother, Irene Marconi; Left Center: Sister Joseph Elaine; Right Center: Sister Joan (Joseph Elaine) with her father, Armand Marconi; Right: From left, Sisters Marilyn Francoeur, Joan Marconi, and Therese Groulx, August 2003.

Left: From left, Sisters Catherine Olds, Mary Frances Fleischaker, Patricia Leonard, and Joan Marconi; Right: Gathering during General Chapter 2004 are, from left, Sisters Joan Marconi, Dorothy Guettler, Louise Borgacz, Dorothy Booms, Barbara Ann Hehr, and Rose Celeste O’Connell.

Left: From left, Sisters Mary Louise Gass, Anthonita Porta, Joan Marconi, Kathleen Sutherland, Theodora McKennan, and Rina Cappellazzo; Center: Sisters Joan Marconi, left, and Thérèse Haggerty; Right: Sisters Joan Marconi, left, and Thérèse Haggerty attend the December 2014 Christmas bazaar at the Dominican Life Center.

Members of the 2010 Diamond Jubilee February Crowd are: back row, from left, Sisters Carol Johannes, Rina Cappellazzo, Joseph Eugene Fogarty, Barbara Hubbard, Mary Mackert, and Mary Louise Gass; middle row, from left, Sisters Joan Marconi, Diane Erbacher, Paul James Villemure, Charlotte Francis Moser, Mary Anthony Marelli, and Kathleen Sutherland; and front row, from left, Sisters Theodora McKennan, Mary Jo Sieg, Florence Marie Viaches, Michael Claire Wilson, Barbara Ann Mason, and Donna Markham (Prioress).

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(1932-2023)

Sister Evangelina G. Fernandez, known as Sister Vangie, died on Thursday, August 24, 2023, at the Dominican Sisters’ convent in barangay Mining, Angeles City, Pampanga, Philippines. She was 91 years of age and in the 59th year of her religious profession, serving the People of God for 46 years as a Dominican Sister of Our Lady of Remedies and 12 years as an Adrian Dominican Sister after the two congregations merged in 2011.

Sister Vangie came to the Adrian Dominican Congregation on September 13, 1962, to begin formation for a Dominican foundation of religious life to be established in the Province of Pampanga, Philippines. She entered the novitiate on January 7, 1963, and before returning to the Philippines, made her Private First Profession of Vows on February 11, 1965. She made her Private Final Profession of Vows on May 27, 1965. She later made Public Final Profession of Vows at the Mother of Good Counsel Seminary Chapel, City of San Fernando, Pampanga. 

Sister Vangie was born in Talavera, Nueva Ecija, Philippines, to Ciriaco and Jacinta (Garcia) Fernandez. She graduated from Talavera Province High School in Talavera, Nueva Ecija; received a bachelor’s degree in elementary and high school education from Wesleyan College in the Philippines; and earned a master’s degree in education from Siena Heights College (University) in Adrian, Michigan.

Sister Vangie was named founding Prioress of the Dominican Sisters of Our Lady of Remedies when it was established in the Philippines in 1972. She was later elected as Prioress of the independent congregation for two separate terms, from 1975 to 1978 and 1982 to 1985.

She also ministered in education for five years as principal at Assumption College and one year as a theology teacher at the University of the Assumption, both in San Fernando. She served more than 12 years in pastoral work in Lubao and San Fernando and six years as a guidance counselor in Manibaug and Lubao.

Sister was preceded in death by her parents and her brother Agustin. She is survived by her brother Eugenio of La Verna Hills, Davao City, the Philippines.

Funeral Mass and Rite of Committal (burial) will be held on Wednesday, August 30, 2023, at 9:00 a.m. in Holy Mary Memorial Park in Angeles City, Philippines. A Memorial Mass will be held at St. Catherine Chapel in Adrian on Thursday, September 21, 2023, at 10:30 a.m. The Ritual of Remembrance will take place at 3:00 p.m. ET on Thursday, September 21, 2023, in the Rose Room of the Dominican Life Center. Both services in Adrian will be available via live stream.

Memorial gifts may be made to Adrian Dominican Sisters, 1257 East Siena Heights Drive, Adrian, Michigan, 49221. 

 

Sister's Memorial Card (PDF)

 

Memorial and Remembrance Recordings

Recording of Sister Vangie's Memorial Mass - After clicking the link, download the recording by clicking on the three dots at the bottom right corner of the screen and choosing "Download." Worship Aid (PDF)

Recording of Sister Vangie's Ritual of Remembrance - After clicking the link, download the recording by clicking on the three dots at the bottom right corner of the screen and choosing "Download."

 

Left: Sister Evangelina Fernandez; Center: The first four members of the Congregation of Our Lady of Remedies gather with Mother Genevieve Weber, Mother General of the Adrian Dominican Sisters. Shown are, from left, Sisters Esperanza Bonifacio (Sister Joseph), Digna San Vicente (Sister Thomas), Mother Genevieve, Sister Milagros Garcia (Sister Regina), and Evangelina Fernandez (Sister Dominic); Right: Sister Evangelina Fernandez with Aeta children at Villa Maria in Porac, Pampanga, Philippines

Left: Sisters Evangelina Fernandez and Aleli Gose celebrate their public Final Profession with friends and relatives; Center: Sisters Mary Philip Ryan, left, and Evangelina Fernandez; Right: From left, Sisters Rose Ann Schlitt, Evangelina Fernandez, and Prioress Maria Socorro Garcia participate in a ritual of tying two cloths together to symbolize the merger of the Dominican Sisters of Our Lady of Remedies with the Adrian Dominican Sisters, November 2011.

Left: Sister Evangelina Fernandez cuts the ribbon for Our Lady of Remedies Chapter’s new central house, the Adrian Dominican House of Remedies, in March 2023; Right: From left, Sisters Marcine Klemm and Evangelina Fernandez.

Left: Sister Evangelina with Archbishop Paciano Aniceto of the Archdiocese of San Fernando; Center: Sister Evangelina enjoys the communal celebration of her 91st birthday on April 25, 2023; Right: From left, Sisters Evangelina Fernandez and Lois Paha

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(1935-2023)

Sister Rosaire McAuliffe, baptized Virginia Kathryn McAuliffe, died on Thursday, August 17, 2023, at the Dominican Life Center in Adrian, Michigan. She was 88 years of age and in the 68th year of her religious profession: 47 years in the Dominican Sisters of Edmonds, Washington, and in her 21st year in the Adrian Dominican Congregation after the two congregations merged in 2003.

Sister Rosaire was born in Spokane, Washington, to Gene and Sally (Milnor) McAuliffe. She graduated from Holy Angels Academy in Seattle and received a bachelor’s degree in education from Holy Names College in Spokane and a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in art from Fort Wright College, also in Spokane. She was also certified in Creation-Centered Spirituality by San Rafael College.

Her entire ministry was in the state of Washington. She spent 16 years teaching in elementary and secondary schools in Aberdeen, Seattle, Bremerton, and Tacoma. In addition, she ministered for three years in religious education in Bremerton and 29 years in retreat and art ministry in Tacoma, Tracyton, and Edmonds. 

Sister Rosaire became a resident of the Dominican Life Center in Adrian in 2010. She was preceded in death by her parents and sisters Patricia Colwell and Sally Jean Shea. She is survived by brothers Jim McAuliffe (Jill) of Seattle and Mike McAuliffe (Marsha) of DuPont, Washington; other loving family members, and her Adrian Dominican Sisters. 

Prayers of Committal were held Friday, August 18, 2023, in the Congregation Cemetery. A Memorial Mass will be offered in St. Catherine Chapel at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, August 31, 2023, followed by the Ritual of Remembrance at 1:30 p.m. that day in the Rose Room of the Dominican Life Center. Those not attending services in person are welcome to participate via live stream at https://adriandominicans.org/Live-Stream.

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

 

Sister's Memorial Card (PDF)

 

Memorial Mass and Remembrance Recordings

Recording of Sister Rosaire's Memorial Mass - After clicking the link, download the recording by clicking on the three dots at the bottom right corner of the screen and choosing "Download." Worship Aid (PDF)

Recording of Sister Rosaire's Ritual of Remembrance - After clicking the link, download the recording by clicking on the three dots at the bottom right corner of the screen and choosing "Download."

 

 

Left: Baby Virginia, January 1935; Center: The McAuliffe siblings, from left, Jimmy, Sally Jean, and Virginia Kathryn; Right: Virginia McAuliffe, the future Sister Rosaire, in first grade

Left: Sister Rosaire visits with her mother, Sally McAuliffe, on Mother's Day, 1955; Center: Sister Rosaire McAuliffe; Right: Sally and Gene McAuliffe, Sister Rosaire’s parents, 1960

Left: Sisters Mary Irene Walker and Rosaire McAuliffe enjoy a festive meal in 1995; Center: Center: From left, Sisters Rosaire McAuliffe, Mary Irene Walker, Claudia Morgan, Dorothy L. Berg, and Mina Riggs; Right: From left, Sisters Rosaire McAuliffe and Cele Gorman

1981 Silver Jubilarians from the Edmonds Dominican Sisters community are, standing, from left, Sisters Irene Mandin, Claudia Morgan, Joanne McCauley, and Rosaire McAuliffe, and seated, from left, Sisters Dorothy L. Berg, Maureen Rose, and Lucy Terwelp.

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

(1932-2023)

Sister Angela Susalla, formerly known as Sister David Mary, died on Wednesday, August 16, 2023, at the Dominican Life Center in Adrian, Michigan. She was 91 years of age and in the 71st year of her religious profession in the Adrian Dominican Congregation.

Sister Angela was born in Detroit to David and Bertha (Zinger) Susalla. She graduated from Rochester High School in Rochester, Michigan. She received a bachelor’s degree in biology and a master’s degree in mixed science, both from Siena Heights College (University) in Adrian.

Sister Angela ministered for 24 years in elementary and secondary education in Chicago, Illinois; Detroit, Michigan; Aiken, South Carolina; Fort Walton Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Tallahassee, and West Palm Beach, Florida; and Grafton, West Virginia. This includes 10 years as an elementary and secondary teacher at Rosarian Academy, a sponsored ministry of the Adrian Dominican Congregation in West Palm Beach. She also served six years as a pastoral minister: a year in Eleuthera, Bahamas, and five years for the Diocese of Memphis in Lexington, Tennessee. Her last 31 years of service were spent as a social service minister for Catholic Social Services in Tunica, Mississippi. 

Sister Angela became a resident of the Dominican Life Center in Adrian in 2014. She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers Thomas, Ernest, Larry, and David; and a sister, Elda. She is survived by sisters Elaine Campbell of Troy, Michigan, and Karen Swaim (Gary) of Sevierville, Tennessee; other loving family members; and her Adrian Dominican Sisters.

Visitation will be held from 6:30 to 7:00 p.m. on Monday, August 21, 2023, in the gathering space of St. Catherine Chapel. The Vigil Prayer will be held at 7:00 p.m. Monday, August 21, 2023, in St. Catherine Chapel. A Funeral Mass will be offered in St. Catherine Chapel at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, August 22, 2023. Prayers of Committal will be held in the Congregation Cemetery. 

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

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

Sister's Memorial Card (PDF)

 

Vigil and Funeral Recordings

Recording of Sister Angela's Vigil Service - After clicking the link, download the recording by clicking on the three dots at the bottom right corner of the screen and choosing "Download." Worship Aid (PDF)

Recording of Sister Angela's Funeral Mass - After clicking the link, download the recording by clicking on the three dots at the bottom right corner of the screen and choosing "Download." Worship Aid (PDF)

 

Left: Playing on their parents’ car the Susalla children, from left, Ernie, Angela (the baby), David, and Elda, 1933; Center: Elaine, left, and Angela Susalla pose on their First Communion day, May 1941; Right: Angela Susalla, middle, on her graduation day from Rochester High School, June 14, 1951, with her parents, David and Bertha Susalla.

Left: Sister Angela Susalla, Center: Sister Angela (David Mary) visits with her family in Adrian in July 1953. Shown are: back row from left, Bertha (her mother), Sister Angela, and Elda, and front row, from left, Karen and Elaine; Right: Sister David Mary (Angela) appears contemplative during her Reception Day, December 27, 1951.

Left: Sisters Angela Susalla, left, and Virginia King in Tunica, Mississippi; Center: From left, Sisters Attracta Kelly, Angela Susalla, Iva Gregory, and Patricia Siemen, March 1987; Right: Sister Angela enjoys a ride at the Isola Ranch, June 1991.

Left: From left, Sisters Beverly Stark, Christa Marsik, Angela Susalla, and Mary Trzasko celebrate Sister Christa’s Diamond (60-year) Jubilee with the Adrian Crossroads Mission Chapter, November 2, 2019; Right: The Metanoia Mission Group gathered on March 22, 2022. Members are: standing, from left, Sister Angela Susalla, Associate Joan Ebbitt, and Sisters Beverly Stark, Marguerite Renuart, Joan Delaplane, and Beverly Bobola, and seated, from left, Sisters Maria del Rey Plain, Christa Marsik, Frances Madigan, Annette Marie Sinagra, and Myra Jackson. Not pictured is Sister Cele Gorman.

Members of the 2011 Diamond Jubilee Crowd are: back row, from left, Sisters Nancy Fischer, Barbara Ann Hehr, Patricia Walsh, Mary Louise Head, Joan Weitz, Helen Belsito, Anne Beauvais, and Celeste Mary Bourke; middle row, from left, Sisters Mary Alice Naour, Helen Laier, Thomas Leo Monahan, Patricia Dolan, Angela Susalla, June Racicot, Patricia Spangler, and Attracta Kelly (Prioress); and front row, from left, Sisters Marilyn Foster, Marion Coppe, Betty Lou Myers, Robert Irene Buchanan, Mary Alan Stuart, Mary Catherine Nolan, and Jane Robert Stuckel.

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