(1940-2018)

Patricia Craft was born on August 15, 1940, in Elgin, Illinois. She was the daughter of Ruth Eleanor Nelson Miller and Francis Joseph Miller. She had one sister, Sister Joella Miller, OP.

The Miller family moved often when Pat was young, to Michigan, Ohio, and Illinois. Both parents were very devout Catholics. Very close siblings, Pat and Joella used to play church together, using Necco Wafers as “hosts.” When Sister Joella entered the Adrian Dominican Congregation, Pat missed her very much. 

Pat met her husband, Richard (Dick), in college and described him as her “knight in shining armor.” They were married in St. Laurence Church in Elgin on September 17, 1960, and had six children: Mary Sue, Ricky, Joe, Billy, Christopher, and David. They also had 14 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. Dedicated to her family, Pat was fulfilled through her marriage and her children. She made sure that they attended Mass and prayed at every meal.

Pat wrote that she chose to become an Associate because of her desire to “grow in my spiritual life and to become closer to God. I wish to be part of the Dominican family in a new and special way.” Pat was friendly and always eager to serve.

“I feel like I have been associated with the Adrian Dominican Sisters for over 50 years,” Pat said during her Ritual of Commitment. “I want to be an Associate as I have so many caring and loving friends that are Dominicans. I want to feel the joy of God’s love that they all share. I want to share my love of God with everyone I come into contact with.”

Pat had to endure the death of her youngest child, David, on August 24, 2014. This was a very difficult time for her.

Pat was a breast cancer survivor, but a recurrence of cancer led to her death on January 10, 2018.

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

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(1929-2018)

Doris Marie Beach was born on February 2, 1920, to Samuel and Freda Beach. She and her three brothers grew up on a farm in southwestern Michigan. She attended a one-room schoolhouse and then a small high school in Edwardsburg, Michigan, graduating with a class of 17.

Doris graduated from the Henry Ford Hospital School of Nursing in 1951. She then had a long career as a staff nurse, head nurse, Assistant Director of Nursing, and Medical-Surgical Psychiatric Supervisor.  

For many years, Doris shared a home with a nurse friend, who died in 1981. Sister Susan Parker, OP, came to live with Doris as they were both working at the same hospital and had become friends. 

Doris cared for both of her parents as they aged and faced illness and death. One of her brothers died in a motorcycle accident at age 17, and Doris’ two other brothers married and had children. She was a most beloved aunt.

Doris had several interests, including reading, gardening, crossword puzzles, and crafts.

Mentored by Sister Marilyn Foster, OP, Doris joined Associate Life on October 20, 2001. Her introduction to the Congregation came through Sister Susan and through a seminar on death and dying, during which she observed the warmth and love that the Sisters showed toward one another and the people they served.  

Doris enjoyed the prayer and the gatherings of her Mission Group and Chapter. As an Associate, she hoped to enrich her life “and ultimately become closer to God.” She was also interested in peace and justice issues and was eager to learn about various forms of service. In renewing her commitment to Associate Life, Doris wrote, “I want to be a part of who the Sisters are and what they stand for.”

After retirement, Doris lived six months of the year in Redford, Michigan, and six months in Port St. Lucie, Florida.

She died of respiratory failure after surgery on January 3, 2018, with her niece and Sister Susan by her side.

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

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