(1935-2018)

She had the Dominican charism. That was the foundation of everything in her life.

The connection between retired Diocese of Lansing Bishop Carl Mengeling, who spoke those words, and Sister Dorita Wotiska, to whom he was referring, stretched back more than twenty years. In November 1995, he was new to the diocese, and after the press conference introducing him, the diocesan staff lined up to meet him. One of those present was Sister Dorita, who by that time had already been superintendent of schools for the diocese for nine years and associate superintendent for four years before that. And the new bishop quickly discovered her ability, as he put it, to “tell it like it is.”

“She looked right at me, and looked at me right in the eyes … and she said, ‘I’m from the Chicago area too, and I don’t want you to disappoint us, because I’ll be watching you,’” the bishop told those gathered for Sister Dorita’s memorial Mass on February 2, 2018.

(1936-2018)

Mary Honora Hemmen was born in Detroit on December 8, 1936, to Raymond and Ada (Noon) Hemmen. Raymond was born and raised in Detroit and Ada came from Jackson, Michigan. They married when they were older and had two children, Mary and Lawrence. Raymond was a clerk at the Michigan Central railroad terminal in southeast Detroit for fifty-three years.

According to Sister Mary’s autobiography, her parents named her Mary because she was born on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception; it was easy for her to remember her birthday, she said, and she always had the day off from school.

The family lived on the east side of the city, on McKinney Street, and was part of St. Matthew Parish, where the children attended grade school. Ada died of cancer when Mary was nine and Lawrence was seven. Aunts and other helpers were present throughout Ada’s illness, and a maternal aunt especially helped in the children’s care after their mother’s passing; she lived on a farm near Jackson, and the children often spent their summers on Aunt Mary’s farm where they were surrounded by numerous cousins from around the area.

Read more about Sister Mary (pdf)

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

(1931-2018)

Carol Williams, MD, an Adrian Dominican Associate since November 2007, died on January 22, 2018, after a short convalescence. She was the second of two children, born on September 13, 1931 to Frances and Daniel Williams. Carol and her brother Dan grew up in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Carol attended an all-girls prep high school, where she was the valedictorian of her class. 

Carol’s father, a general practitioner of medicine, became ill with tuberculosis when Carol was in the eighth grade, and subsequently died while she was a senior in high school. Her mother was a reporter for The Chattanooga Times, and eventually became the editor of the society section of the paper.

Carol attended Vanderbilt University for two years, then transferred to the University of Tennessee, Knoxville and graduated with a degree in chemistry. She graduated in 1955 from the Tennessee College of Medicine. 

Carol’s accomplishments as a physician were many, including a fellowship in obstetrics-gynecology and gynecologic oncology at Barnes and Allied Hospitals/Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri. She became head of a residency program and subsequently chief of the department at St. Luke’s Hospital in St. Louis.

In 1975, Carol went into a solo private practice, and was a most beloved doctor. She closed her practice in 1991 and was engaged in delivering and coordinating women’s health care in community and public health settings. From the early 1980’s, she also served in pediatric and adolescent gynecology at Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital and St. Louis University. Carol was the first woman President of the St. Louis Metropolitan Medical Society and, in 1992, served as the President of the Missouri State Medical Association. 

Carol was married for 20 years to a pediatrician. Early in the marriage she developed breast cancer. Her marriage ended, and an annulment was granted. She had no children.

Carol began her spiritual life as a Southern Baptist, and began daily Bible reading. After being a member of the Episcopal Church, she became a Catholic in 1981. She served on the board of the Aquinas Institute of Theology in St. Louis, where she earned a master’s degree in theology and certificates in pastoral care, spiritual direction, and preaching. For years, she was an Associate with the Racine Dominican Sisters.

Carol ultimately made her commitment to Adrian Dominican Associate Life on November 27, 2007, mentored by Sisters Patricia Walter, OP and Peggy Coyne, OP. 

In her application for Associate Life, Carol wrote the following: “These years as a Catholic have seen the gradual release from the fear of engagement with one’s life issues and the attendant risk of hurt. In spiritual direction the unresolved, unrepented, unforgiven relationships and injuries sustained through seventy five years of living have yielded to the light of God’s care and mercy in Christ in the power of the Spirit. I am grateful to the Lord of the Journey for rescuing me from the trash heap to which I tried to consign myself and bringing me into healing communion with God’s people.”

Carol was very devoted to her Sojourner group in St. Louis – made up of Adrian Dominican Associates – and formed close relationships with both Associates and Sisters. She continued to be present to those who were in crisis with illness and dying. 

Carol is preceded in death by her parents and survived by her brother Daniel (Joan) Williams, Jr.; nephew Chris (Terri) Williams and their son Stone Williams; and nephew William Hedrick.

A memorial service will be held on Friday, January 26, 2018, at St. Francis Xavier College Church in St. Louis. Visitation will be at 9:00 a.m. until the Mass at 10:00 a.m. Burial will be during a private service held at a later date in Chattanooga, Tennessee. 

Legacy.com Obituary

 

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

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(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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