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(1934-2026)
Sister Mary Ward, formerly known as Sister Michael Bridget, died on Sunday, January 18, 2026, at the Dominican Life Center in Adrian, Michigan. She was 91 years of age and in the 68th year of her religious profession in the Adrian Dominican Congregation.
Sister was born in Chicago to Michael and Bridget (Ryan) Ward. She graduated from St. Gregory High School in Chicago and earned a bachelor’s degree in English from Siena Heights College (University) in Adrian and a master’s degree in guidance from DePaul University in Chicago.
Sister Mary ministered for 13 years in elementary education in Elgin, Elmhurst, Chicago, and Elmwood Park, Illinois. She served the Adrian Dominican Congregation for about 17 years in various positions: secretary to the formation team, executive secretary and Secretary of the Congregation; coordinator of fund data for the Development Office in Detroit; and executive assistant for the Great Lakes Dominican Chapter Office, also in Detroit.
She also ministered for three years as a secretary at Siena Heights College (University), a sponsored institution of the Congregation; for more than two years as administrator for the Detroit Center for Religious Development; and for more than eight years as registrar for Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit. Sister became a resident of the Dominican Life Center in Adrian in 2017.
Sister Mary was preceded in death by her parents; her brothers, Vincent, James, John, and Michael; and two sisters, Jane Ward-Lutterman and Theresa Ward. She is survived by two sisters, Susan Barnett and Margaret “Peg” Kloiber; other loving family members; and her Adrian Dominican Sisters.
Visitation will be held from 6:30 to 7:00 p.m. on Monday, January 26, 2026, in the gathering space of St. Catherine Chapel. The Vigil Prayer will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, January 26, 2026, in St. Catherine Chapel. A Funeral Mass will be offered in St. Catherine Chapel at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, January 27, 2026. Prayers of Committal will be held in the Congregation Cemetery.
Those 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 Home, Adrian.
Sister's Memorial Card (PDF)
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 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)
MIDDLE: Sister Michael Bridget with her family on Reception Day. RIGHT: Sister Mary Ward as Secretary of the Congregation.
LEFT: Members of the 1982-1986 General Council are: back row, from left, Sisters Carol Johannes (Prioress), Rose Ann Schlitt, Mary Ward (Secretary), and Catherine DeClercq, and front row, from left, Sisters Loretta May (Treasurer), Helen Sohn, and Miriam Mullins. RIGHT: The current and former Secretaries of the Congregation gathered during the Congregation’s 2002 Gathering. They are, from left: Sisters Rose Celeste O’Connell, 1990-2016; Grace Flowers, 1974-1980; Marie Wiedner, 1970-1974; Kathleen Walli, 1988-1990; Mary Ward, 1982-1988; and Helen Sohn, 1980-1982.
LEFT: The community of Burg Road, Warren, Michigan, gathers in 2013. They are, from left, Sisters Joan Hinz, Patricia Johnson, Alice Riegel, Noreen O’Connell, Frances Nadolny, Ann Marie Petri, Mary Jo Sieg, and Mary Ward. MIDDLE: Bridget Ward, mother of Sister Mary Ward. RIGHT: Michael Ward, father of Sister Mary Ward.
LEFT: Members of the 1986-1992 General Council honoring Sister Mary Ward for her service as Congregation Secretary. Pictured are, from left: Sisters Nadine Foley (Prioress), Sharon Weber, Stacey Munson (secretary), Carol Bollin, Donna Markham, Linda Bevilacqua, and Loretta May (Treasurer). Sister Mary is seated in front. (Photo by Sister Beverly Bobola) RIGHT: Members of the 2017 Diamond Jubilee August Crowd are: back row, from left, Sisters Noella McLeod, Patricia Reno, Mary Ward, and Patricia Siemen (Prioress), and front row, from left, Sisters Geneal Kramer, Loretta Glanz, and Victoria Dalesandro.
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(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.
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.
(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.
Recording of Sister Ann Marie'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 Ann Marie's Funeral Mass - After clicking the link, download the recording by right-clicking on the video choosing "Save video as." Worship Aid (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.
(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.
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.
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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