(1933-2024)

Sister Joan Weitz, formerly known as Sister Marie Leon, died on Friday, December 13, 2024, at the Dominican Life Center in Adrian. She was 91 years of age and in the 72nd year of her religious profession in the Adrian Dominican Congregation.

Sister Joan was born in Lancaster, New York, to Leon and Marie (Mathien) Weitz. She graduated from Pine Hill High School in Buffalo, New York. She received a bachelor’s degree in English and a master’s degree in education, both from Siena Heights College (University) in Adrian. 

Sister ministered for 48 years in education in Detroit, Iron Mountain, New Salem, New Baltimore, and Birmingham, Michigan, including 18 years as assistant principal and six years as principal at Dominican High School, Detroit, an institution of the Congregation. 

Sister Joan became a resident of the Dominican Life Center in 2021. She was preceded in death by her parents; her brother, Leon Weitz; and her stepbrother, Donald Tigue. She is survived by her brother, Robert Weitz, and sister, Carol Saglain; other loving family members; and her Adrian Dominican Sisters.

Visitation will be from 6:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 19, 2024, in the gathering space of St. Catherine Chapel. The Vigil Prayer will be held at 7:00 p.m. Thursday, December 19, 2024, in St. Catherine Chapel. A Funeral Mass will be offered in St. Catherine Chapel at 10:30 a.m. Friday, December 20, 2024. Prayers of Committal will be held in the Congregation Cemetery. 

Those not attending the upcoming 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: Marie Weitz holds her daughter, Joan, 1934. MIDDLE LEFT: Eighth-grade photo, Cleveland Hill Middle School, Cheektowaga, New York, 1946. MIDDLE RIGHT: At St. Mary School, Iron Mountain, Michigan, 1957. RIGHT: Sister Joan (then Sister Marie Leon) shows off Silver during a home visit.

LEFT: Sister Marie Leon with her father Leon and stepmother Clinetta. RIGHT:  From left, Sisters Joan Weitz and Anneliese Sinnott. 

LEFT: The Weitz siblings, oldest to youngest, left to right: Robert, Carol, Sister Joan, Don, and Leon at the wedding of Carol’s daughter. RIGHT: Gathering during the 1967 Year of Renewal are, from left, Sisters David Mary (Angela) Susalla, Marie Leon (Joan) Weitz, James Claret (Nancy) Fischer, and Mary Alan Stuart.

LEFT: Sister Marie Leon with her class at Mother of Divine Grade School, Buffalo, New York, 1964. RIGHT: Members of the 2001 Golden Jubilee Crowd are: back row, from left, Anne Beauvais, Joan Weitz, Nancy Fischer, Mary Alice Naour, Helen Belsito, Mary Louise Head, Patricia Eileen Consier, Patricia Walsh, and Celeste Mary Bourke; middle row, from left, Sisters Alan Stuart, Jane Robert Stuckel, Thomas Leo Monahan, Helen Laier, Patricia Dolan, Diana Pellegrino, Angela Susalla, Barbara Ann Hehr, and Mary Catherine Nolan; and front row, from left, Sisters Betty Lou Myers, Robert Irene Buchanan, Marilyn Foster, Marion Coppe, June Racicot, Veronica Gonthier, and Patricia Spangler.

Leave your comments and remembrances – if you don't see the comment box below, click on the "Read More" link.