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(1936-2025)
Sister Margaret “Peggy” Manners, formerly known as Sister Thomas Annine, died on Wednesday, April 9, 2025, at the Dominican Life Center in Adrian, Michigan. She was 88 years of age and in the 69th year of her religious profession in the Adrian Dominican Congregation.
Sister Margaret was born in Detroit to Vincent and Mary (Montgomery) Manners. She graduated from St. Gabriel High School in Detroit and obtained a bachelor’s degree in history from Siena Heights College (University) in Adrian and a master’s degree in American History from Catholic University in Washington, D.C.
Sister spent 52 years ministering in education in Belding, Saint Joseph, Detroit, Dearborn, Adrian, Harper Woods, and Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. This included five years as a teacher and seven years as principal at Dominican High School, Detroit, an institution of the Congregation, and nine years as a high school principal in Bloomfield Hills.
Sister Margaret served three years as placement director/counselor at Siena Heights College (University), a Congregation-sponsored institution. She ministered for four years as an English as a Second Language (ESL) tutor and teacher in Boca Raton, Florida, and at the Congregation-sponsored DePorres Place Literacy Center in West Palm Beach, Florida. She also volunteered for more than a year as a pastoral worker in Deerfield Beach, Florida.
Sister Margaret became a resident of the Dominican Life Center in 2022. She was preceded in death by her parents. She is survived by her siblings, Paul Manners and Sharon Bretz, other loving family members, and her Adrian Dominican Sisters.
Visitation will be held from 6:30 to 7:00 p.m. on Monday, April 14, 2025, in the gathering space of St. Catherine Chapel. The Vigil Prayer will be held at 7:00 p.m. Monday, April 14, 2025, in St. Catherine Chapel. A Funeral Mass will be offered in St. Catherine Chapel at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, April 15, 2025. 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, MI, 49221. Funeral arrangements are being handled by Anderson-Marry Funeral Home, Adrian.
Sister's Memorial Card (PDF)
Recording of Sister Margaret'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 Margaret's Funeral Mass - After clicking the link, download the recording by right-clicking on the video choosing "Save video as." Worship Aid (PDF)
LEFT: At the age of 2. MIDDLE: Peggy, right, with her sister Sharon and brother Paul. RIGHT: With her mother on Entrance Day, 1955.
MIDDLE: Sister Margaret as a social studies teacher at Dominican High School, Detroit, 1976-1981. RIGHT: Sister Margaret with Ebony.
LEFT: From left, Sisters Karen Lietz and Margaret Manners. MIDDLE: From left, Sisters Patricia Erickson and Margaret Manners.
LEFT: Members of the Peace Mission Group in Florida are, back row, from left, Sisters Joan Leo Kehn and Jean Rosaria Fisch; Associate Patricia O’Neill; and Sisters Mary Ann Caulfield (Chapter Prioress), Mary Therese Napolitan, and Frances Madigan. Seated in front are, from left, are Sisters Carmen Rose Álvarez, Karen Lietz, Margaret Manners, and Grace Henneberry, and Associate Barbara Ouellette. RIGHT: Members of the 2015 Diamond Jubilee December Crowd are: back row, from left, Sisters Rosalie Esquerra, Kathleen Waters, Norine Burns, Molly Nicholson, Sheila Delaney, and Nancyann Turner; third row, from left, Sisters Leontia Cooney, Barbara Long, Margaret Manners, Mary Kastens, and Joan Leo Kehn; second row, from left, Sisters Mary Hemmen, Anneliese Sinnott, Joan Mary, Jo Ann Lucas, and Elizabeth Gibbons; and front row, from left, Sisters Esther Ortega, Marilyn Uline, Arlene Seckel, Ann Ziemba, and Jovanna Stein.
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(1946-2025)
Sister Sarajane Seaver, formerly known as Sister Adam, died on Monday, March 31, 2025, at the Dominican Life Center in Adrian, Michigan. She was 79 years of age and in the 59th year of her religious profession in the Adrian Dominican Congregation.
Sister Sarajane was born in Adrian to Glenn and Helen (Springer) Seaver. She graduated from St. John the Baptist High School in Ypsilanti, Michigan, and received a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Siena Heights College (University) in Adrian and a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in weaving from the Center for Creative Studies in Detroit.
Sister ministered 11 years in education in Detroit, Davison, and Southfield, Michigan, and Santa Cruz, California. She served three years as director of creative activities at Weber Center in Adrian, and four years as parish minister at St. Joseph Parish in Winslow, Arizona. She was also the financial aid officer for 10 years at the Center for Creative Studies in Detroit.
Sister Sarajane became a resident of the Dominican Life Center in 2010. She was preceded in death by her parents and her siblings, George Seaver, Timothy Seaver, and Rosemary Sipes. She is survived by other loving family members and her Adrian Dominican Sisters.
Visitation will be held from 6:30 to 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 3, 2025, in the gathering space of St. Catherine Chapel. The Vigil Prayer will be held at 7:00 p.m. Thursday, April 3, 2025, in St. Catherine Chapel. A Funeral Mass will be offered in St. Catherine Chapel at 10:30 a.m. Friday, April 4, 2025. Prayers of Committal will follow.
Recording of Sister Sarajane'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 Sarajane'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 Sarajane with her mother, Helen, 1946. MIDDLE LEFT: From left, siblings Tim and Rosemary with their younger sister, Sarajane. RIGHT: Graduation photo from St. John the Baptist High School, Ypsilanti, Michigan, 1964.
MIDDLE: From left, Sisters Adam (Sarajane) Seaver and Janice Ann (Patricia) Fischer, 1968. RIGHT: From left, Rosemary, sister; Glenn, Father; Helen, mother; Sister Sarajane; and two other family members on Entrance Day, 1964.
LEFT: Sister Sarajane with some of the weavings she created. RIGHT: Members of the 2015 Golden Jubilee August Crowd are: back row, from left, Maureen McGrath, Rosemary Finnegan, Andrea Balconis, and Judith Benkert; middle row, from left, Sisters Patricia Leonard, Patricia McDonald, Susan Gardner, and Sarajane Seaver; and front row, from left, Sisters Janice Holkup, Marie Joy Finfera, Ann Ryan, and Ethel Detz.
Sister Marilyn Francoeur, formerly known as Sister Therese Noel Francoeur, died on Saturday, February 22, 2025, at the Dominican Life Center in Adrian, Michigan. She was 88 years of age and in the 70th year of her religious profession in the Adrian Dominican Congregation.
Sister was born in Adrian to Noel and Ruth (McKie) Francoeur. She graduated from St. Joseph Academy in Adrian and received a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Siena Heights College (University) in Adrian and a master’s degree in teaching mathematics from the University of Detroit (Detroit Mercy).
Sister Marilyn spent 30 years ministering in education, both in the classroom and/or as treasurer in Detroit, Jackson, Ypsilanti, Southgate, and Adrian, Michigan; Tampa, Florida; Wilmette, Illinois; and Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. This includes ministering at three Legacy Adrian Dominican institutions: St. Joseph Academy in Adrian; Regina Dominican High School in Wilmette; and Colegio Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.
From 1984 to 1989, she worked in the Finance Office of the Adrian Dominican Sisters. She was the administrator of the Parable Conference in River Forest, Illinois, from 1992 to 2002. She returned to Adrian to minister in the Office of Information in 2002, and from 2003 to 2013 was the Congregation archivist. She then retired and continued to live at the Dominican Life Center.
She was preceded in death by her parents; a brother, Lawrence; and an aunt, Sister Petronilla Francoeur, also an Adrian Dominican Sister. She is survived by a sister, Herline Harm; two brothers, Douglas and John Francoeur; sister-in-law Judy Francoeur, an Adrian Dominican Associate; other loving family members; and her Adrian Dominican Sisters.
Visitation will be held from 6:30 to 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, February 26, 2025, in the gathering space of St. Catherine Chapel. The Vigil Prayer will be held at 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, February 26, 2025, in St. Catherine Chapel. A Funeral Mass will be offered in St. Catherine Chapel at 4:00 p.m. Thursday, February 27, 2025. Prayers of Committal will follow in the Congregation Cemetery.
Those not attending services in person are welcome to participate via live stream at https://adriandominicans.org/Live-Stream.
Recording of Sister Marilyn'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 Marilyn's Funeral Mass - After clicking the link, download the recording by right-clicking on the video choosing "Save video as." Worship Aid (PDF)
LEFT: Marilyn, 1937. MIDDLE LEFT: First Holy Communion, 1944. MIDDLE RIGHT: Graduation from St. Joseph Academy, 1954.
LEFT: Sister Marilyn with her parents, Noel and Ruth Francoeur, 1954. MIDDLE: Sister Marilyn Francoeur, left, with her aunt, Sister Mary Petronilla Francoeur, 1985. RIGHT: Sister Marilyn Francoeur greets Archbishop Joseph Bernardin of Chicago during the silver anniversary of Regina Dominican High School in Wilmette, Illinois, September 8, 1982.
LEFT: Sister Marilyn at the Archive office, September 2012. MIDDLE: The Francoeur siblings, from left, John, Marilyn, Doug, Herline, and Larry, at their mother’s 80th birthday celebration, 1995. RIGHT: Sister Marilyn points to her garden at the Motherhouse, September 2012.
LEFT: Attending the Lenawee County Historical Society Dinner are, standing, from left, Sister Marilyn Francoeur, Associate Arlene Bachanov, and Sister Jean Tobin, and seated, from left, Sisters Else Britt Nielsen, visiting from Norway; Nadine Foley; and Beverly Bobola. RIGHT: Members of the 2014 Diamond Jubilee Crowd are: back row, from left, Sisters Jeanne Marie Stickling, Gail Himrod, Marilyn Francoeur, Rose Ann Schlitt, Esther Kennedy, and Clarice Moyle; middle row, from left, Sisters Norlee McDonnell, Mary Ann Letzgus, Marlene Ptaszynski, Alice Marie Schmid, and Ellen Schmitz; and front row, from left, Sisters Evelyn Piche, Joan Baustian, Marianne O’Neill, Teresita Ruíz, and Therese Reynolds.
(1938-2025)
Sister Mary Plunkett, formerly known as Sister John Clare, died on Tuesday, February 11, 2025, at the Dominican Life Center in Adrian, Michigan. She was 86 years of age and in the 68th year of her religious profession in the Adrian Dominican Congregation.
Sister Mary was born in Detroit to John and Hazel (Cutler) Plunkett. She graduated from Dominican High School in Detroit and obtained a bachelor’s degree in Spanish from Siena Heights College (University) in Adrian and a master’s degree in elementary education and a master’s degree in social work, both from Wayne State University in Detroit.
Sister Mary ministered for 30 years in education in Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach, Florida and Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, including two years as principal at the Colegio Santo Domingo; and East Detroit and Grosse Pointe Farms, Michigan. She later served 21 years as a psychiatric social worker at Macomb County Community Mental Health in Mount Clemens, Michigan.
Sister became a resident of the Dominican Life Center in 2019.She was preceded in death by her parents and a cousin, Sister John Dominic Hatfield, an Adrian Dominican Sister. She is survived by her sister, Jane Emanoil (Ronald); other loving family members; and her Adrian Dominican Sisters.
Visitation will be held from 6:30 to 7:00 p.m. on Monday, February 17, 2025, in the gathering space of St. Catherine Chapel. The Vigil Prayer will be held at 7:00 p.m. Monday, February 17, 2025, in St. Catherine Chapel. A Funeral Mass will be offered in St. Catherine Chapel at 4:00 p.m. Tuesday, February 18, 2025. 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.
Recording of Sister Mary'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 Mary's Funeral Mass - After clicking the link, download the recording by right-clicking on the video choosing "Save video as." Worship Aid (PDF)
LEFT: First Holy Communion. MIDDLE LEFT: 1956 graduate of Dominican High School, Detroit. MIDDLE RIGHT: Sister Mary Plunkett’s parents, John and Hazel. RIGHT: Sisters John Clare Plunkett, left, and Michael Eilese Doherty, Colegio Santo Domingo.
LEFT: From left, Sisters Mary Plunkett and Mary Catherine Daly in Mount Clemens, Michigan, 1990-2011. RIGHT: Sister Mary Plunkett, front and center, at the 1990 Great Lakes Mission Chapter Assembly.
Sister Mary Plunkett, far right, wearing a corsage, celebrates her Silver Jubilee with her family.
Members of the 2016 Diamond Jubilee June Crowd are: back row, from left, Sisters Margaret O’Flynn, Catherine Camille DeClercq, Jean Crane, Grace Dougherty, and Grace Henneberry; fourth row, from left, Sisters Mary Margaret Mannard, Mary Plunkett, Marian Castelluccio, Attracta Kelly (Prioress) and Donna Joan Mehney; third row, from left, Sisters Jeanne Lefebvre, Patricia Downey, Maureen Gallagher, and Mary Kathryn Cliatt; second row, from left, Sisters Marie Luisa Vasquez, Mary Catherine Gagliano, Jean Tobin, and Rosario Martin; and front row, seated, from left, Sisters Pauline Opliger and Sally Ann Fergus.
Our Adrian Dominican cemetery with its circular headstones is a beautiful place of rest for women who gave their lives in service to God — and a peaceful place for contemplation and remembrance.
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