(1935-2026)

Sister Rosita G. Bernardo, known affectionately as Sister RB, died on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, at the Adrian Dominican House of Remedies in Mining, Angeles City, Philippines. She was 90 years of age and in the 52nd year of her religious profession: 37 years in the Dominican Sisters of Our Lady of Remedies Congregation and in her 15th year in the Adrian Dominican Congregation after the two congregations merged in 2011. 

Sister Rosita entered the Our Lady of Remedies Congregation on June 1, 1971, and was received into the novitiate on June 1, 1972. She made her First Profession of Vows on January 25, 1974, and her Final Profession on October 15, 1983.

Sister Rosita was born in Guagua, Pampanga, Philippines, to Pedro and Maria (Garcia) Bernardo. She graduated from St. Augustine High School in Floridablanca, Philippines, and received a bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University of the Assumption in the Philippines.

Sister Rosita ministered at the University of the Assumption for 21 years: two years as religious coordinator/teacher, two years as liaison officer, and 17 years as university treasurer. She served for six years in volunteer pastoral work and one year as an adult catechist, all in San Fernando, Pampanga, Philippines. She ministered for the congregation as a formator/bible study coordinator for three years. In addition, she served as spiritual director for three years in Bulacan, Philippines, and as an overseas Filipino worker for six years in Kaohsiung and Kaihsiung, Taiwan.

Sister Rosita was preceded in death by her parents and a brother, Nicolas Mendoza. She is survived by other loving family members and her Adrian Dominican Sisters.

Funeral Mass and Rite of Committal (burial) will be held on Saturday, January 17, 2026, at the Holy Mary Memorial Park Cemetery in Angeles City, Philippines. A Memorial Mass will be held in Adrian, Michigan, at a later date.

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.

LEFT: Sister Rosita as a novice, 1973. MIDDLE: Participating in a 1972 small group prayer session are, from left, Sisters Rosita Bernardo, Zenaida Nacpil, Vicki Sangutu, and Rina. RIGHT: Sister Rosita Bernardo during the dedication of the Central House, March 2023.

LEFT: From left, Sisters Maria Socorro Garcia, Evangelina Fernandez, Estrellita David, Mary Philip Ryan, Arsenia Mary Puno, Remedios Pangan, and Rosita Bernardo. 

LEFT: Sister Rosita Bernardo, left, dances with Sister Patricia Siemen, Prioress, during a 2016 gathering in the Philippines. RIGHT: From left, Sisters Rosita Bernardo, Lourdes Pamintuan, and Romina Bautista sit with Dominican Missioneras during a small group discussion at the 2019 Dominican Sisters International gathering in the Philippines. 

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(1936-2026)

Sister Ann Marie Petri, formerly known as Sister Joseph Helene Petri, died on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, at the Dominican Life Center in Adrian. She was 89 years of age and in the 69th year of her religious profession in the Adrian Dominican Congregation.

Sister Ann Marie Petri was born in Detroit to Francis and Ernestine (Adey) Petri. She graduated from Little Flower High School in Royal Oak, Michigan, and received a bachelor’s degree in history from Siena Heights College (University) in Adrian, a master’s degree in special education from Wayne State University in Detroit, and a Master of Divinity degree in ministry from the University of Notre Dame in Notre Dame, Indiana. .

Sister Ann Marie ministered for 17 years in education in Clawson, Alpena, Mason, Flint, and Davison, Michigan. She then ministered for 32 years as a religious education coordinator, pastoral minister, and religious education consultant in Davison, Owosso, Grosse Pointe Park, and Gaines, Michigan. Seventeen of those years were at St. Joseph Parish in Gaines. Sister became a resident of the Dominican Life Center in 2023.

Sister Ann Marie was preceded in death by her parents and two aunts, Sister M. Antoinette Petri, OP, and Sister M. Seraphica Petri, OP, both Adrian Dominican Sisters. She is survived by five sisters: Betty Campbell (Jack), Mary Chesnutt (David), Martha Holmes (Howard), Jane Robinson (John), and Joan Stamps (Wayne); other loving family members; and her Adrian Dominican Sisters.

Visitation will be held from 6:30 to 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 15, 2026, in the gathering space of St. Catherine Chapel. The Vigil Prayer will be held at 7:00 p.m. Thursday, January 15, 2026, in St. Catherine Chapel. A Funeral Mass will be offered in St. Catherine Chapel at 10:30 a.m. Friday, January 16, 2026. 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, MI, 49221. Funeral arrangements are being handled by Anderson-Marry Funeral Home, Adrian.

Sister's Memorial Card (PDF)

 

LEFT: Four generations are represented by baby Ann Marie Petri, held in the arms of her great-grandmother, Anna Blackmore; her mother, Ernestine Petri; and her grandmother, Helena Connolly. MIDDLE LEFT: Ernestine Petri with two of her daughters: Betty, left, and Ann Marie, right. MIDDLE RIGHT: First Holy Communion. RIGHT: Graduation from Little Flower High School, Royal Oak, Michigan, 1954.

MIDDLE: Sister Ann Marie Petri with Bishop Earl Boyea of the Diocese of Lansing. RIGHT: From left, Sisters Joan Hinz, Patricia Johnson, Alice Riegel, Noreen O’Connell, Frances Nadolny, Ann Marie Petri, Mary Jo Sieg, and Mary Ward. 

Members of the 2006 Golden Jubilee August Crowd are: back row, from left, Sisters Jean Harlan, Donna Kustusch, Janet Capone, Ann Marie Petri, and Rosalie Bulanda; middle row, from left, Sisters Joan Christie, Annette Desloover, Ann Englert, Denise Devitt, Hilda Nadine Sheehan, and Ruth Adamites; and front row, from left, Sisters Marilee Ewing, Helen Essa, Joanne Spisz, and Maria Caridad Pinuela.

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(1931-2026)

Sister Elizabeth Lynch, formerly known as Sister John Annette Lynch, died on Sunday, January 4, 2026, at the Dominican Life Center in Adrian, Michigan. She was 94 years of age and in the 74th year of her religious profession in the Adrian Dominican Congregation.

Sister was born in Chicago, Illinois, to Charles and Alice (O’Neil) Lynch. She graduated from St. Casimir High School in Chicago and received a Bachelor of Philosophy degree in History from Siena Heights College (University) in Adrian and a Master of Education degree in Administration from DePaul University in Chicago.

Sister Elizabeth ministered for 53 years in elementary education in Detroit, Jackson, and Albion, Michigan, and in Homewood, Maywood, and Chicago, Illinois. She was principal for six years at St. James School in Maywood and for 30 years at St. Denis School in Chicago. When her ministry as principal ended, Sister served an additional six years at St. Denis Parish as religious education director. She also served the Congregation for two years as secretary for St. Dominic Province, based in Hometown. Sister became a resident of the Dominican Life Center in Adrian in 2017.

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

Visitation will be held from 6:30 to 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 8, 2026, in the gathering space of St. Catherine Chapel. The Vigil Prayer will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 8, 2026, in St. Catherine Chapel. A Funeral Mass will be offered in St. Catherine Chapel at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, January 9, 2026. 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, MI, 49221. Funeral arrangements are being handled by Anderson-Marry Funeral Home, 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 Elizabeth'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 Elizabeth's Funeral Mass - After clicking the link, download the recording by right-clicking on the video choosing "Save video as." Worship Aid (PDF)

 

 

LEFT: Elizabeth and her brother Patrick with their grandparents. MIDDLE LEFT: Sister John Annette serving as principal of St. James School, Maywood, Illinois, 1963-1969. RIGHT: Members of the St. Denis community in Chicago are: back row, from left, Sisters Rita Crotty, Nora Brady, and Norine Burns; and front row, from left, Sisters Thomas James Burns, Elizabeth Lynch, and Joan Lucid.

LEFT: Adrian Dominican school principals gathered at a 1996 Catholic schools meeting in Chicago. They are, standing, from left, Sisters Eileen Morley and Nancy Fischer; Elaine Schuster, Chicago Superintendent of Schools; and Sisters Sean Morley and Kathryn Hartnett; and seated, from left, Sisters Nora O’Brien and Elizabeth Lynch. MIDDLE: From left, Sisters Nora Brady, Joan Donovan, Elizabeth Lynch, and their friend Alice Dukelow. RIGHT: Standing, from left, Sisters Helen Patrick Bartley, Elizabeth Lynch, Norine Burns, Patricia Dolan, and Carolyn Nelson, and seated, from left, Sisters Patricia McCarty and Georgina Luznicky.

Members of the 2011 Diamond Jubilee are: back row, from left, Sisters Attracta Kelly (Prioress), Julianne Wolny, Jeannine Holway, Anne Liam Lees, Judith Ann Lieder, and Agnes Peplinski; middle row, from left, Sisters Elizabeth Lynch, Rita Brunett, Thérèse M. Haggerty, Mary Daria Herbella, Catherine Ahern, and Elisa Joan Doherty; and front row, from left, Sisters Dolores Marie Dolan, Dolores Slosar, Nancy Hanna, Celine Marie Regan, Marian Edward Guethlein, and Clara Ann Budenz.

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(1934-2026)

Sister Reta Drexler, formerly known as Sister Madonna Rose, died on Thursday, January 1, 2026, at the Dominican Life Center in Adrian, Michigan. She was 91 years of age and in the 67th year of her religious profession in the Adrian Dominican Congregation.

Sister Reta was born in Dearborn, Michigan, to William and Rose (Hoorman) Drexler. She graduated from St. Joseph Academy in Adrian and received a bachelor’s degree in social studies from Siena Heights College (University) in Adrian. She was also certified as a spiritual director.

Sister spent 30 years ministering in education in Detroit, Norway, Maybee, Iron Mountain, and Escanaba, Michigan; Defiance, Cincinnati, and Swanton, Ohio; and Melbourne, Florida. She also spent eight years as director of religious education and pastoral minister at St. Jude Parish in Tequesta, Florida, and one year in pastoral ministry at St. Helen Parish in Vero Beach, Florida. 

Sister Reta was also a general assistant for a year and a half at Maria Health Care Center in Adrian, an institution of the Adrian Dominican Congregation. Sister became a resident of the Dominican Life Center in 2005.

Sister Reta was preceded in death by her parents; two sisters, Vera Hartman and Florence Wright; and her brothers, Albert, Carl, Donald, and James Drexler. 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 Wednesday, January 7, 2026, in the gathering space of St. Catherine Chapel. The Vigil Prayer will be held at 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, January 7, 2026, in St. Catherine Chapel. A Funeral Mass will be offered in St. Catherine Chapel at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, January 8, 2026. 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, MI, 49221. Funeral arrangements are being handled by Anderson-Marry Funeral Home, 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 Reta'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 Reta's Funeral Mass - After clicking the link, download the recording by right-clicking on the video choosing "Save video as." Worship Aid (PDF)

 

LEFT: The Drexler siblings, circa 1947, are: back row, from left, Florence, Don, Carl, and Vera, and front row, from left, James, Albert, and Reta. MIDDLE: Siblings Albert and Reta Drexler. RIGHT: Reta at the age of 8, 1942.

LEFT: Reta poses with her horse, Smokey, in Clayton, Michigan, circa 1950. MIDDLE LEFT: Sister Madonna Rose with her parents, Rose and William Drexler, on the day of her Reception into the Novitiate, December 1952. 

LEFT: Spending time in Utah are, from left, Sisters Lorraine Sinn, Dorothy Booms, Lorraine Pepin, and Reta Drexler. RIGHT: From left, Sisters Joan Petz, Lorraine Pepin, Lois Mary Rochon, Dorothy Booms, Margaret Richard Pillon, and Reta Drexel. 

Members of the 2012 Diamond Jubilarian Crowd 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.

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