(1936-2025)

Sister Marilyn Francoeur, formerly known as Sister Therese Noel Francoeur, died on Saturday, February 22, 2025, at the Dominican Life Center in Adrian, Michigan. She was 88 years of age and in the 70th year of her religious profession in the Adrian Dominican Congregation.

Sister was born in Adrian to Noel and Ruth (McKie) Francoeur. She graduated from St. Joseph Academy in Adrian and received a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Siena Heights College (University) in Adrian and a master’s degree in teaching mathematics from the University of Detroit (Detroit Mercy). 

Sister Marilyn spent 30 years ministering in education, both in the classroom and/or as treasurer in Detroit, Jackson, Ypsilanti, Southgate, and Adrian, Michigan; Tampa, Florida; Wilmette, Illinois; and Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. This includes ministering at three Legacy Adrian Dominican institutions: St. Joseph Academy in Adrian; Regina Dominican High School in Wilmette; and Colegio Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. 

From 1984 to 1989, she worked in the Finance Office of the Adrian Dominican Sisters. She was the administrator of the Parable Conference in River Forest, Illinois, from 1992 to 2002. She returned to Adrian to minister in the Office of Information in 2002, and from 2003 to 2013 was the Congregation archivist. She then retired and continued to live at the Dominican Life Center. 

She was preceded in death by her parents; a brother, Lawrence; and an aunt, Sister Petronilla Francoeur, also an Adrian Dominican Sister. She is survived by a sister, Herline Harm; two brothers, Douglas and John Francoeur; sister-in-law Judy Francoeur, an Adrian Dominican Associate; other loving family members; and her Adrian Dominican Sisters.

Visitation will be held from 6:30 to 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, February 26, 2025, in the gathering space of St. Catherine Chapel. The Vigil Prayer will be held at 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, February 26, 2025, in St. Catherine Chapel. A Funeral Mass will be offered in St. Catherine Chapel at 4:00 p.m. Thursday, February 27, 2025. Prayers of Committal will follow 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

Recording of Sister Marilyn'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 Marilyn's Funeral Mass - After clicking the link, download the recording by right-clicking on the video choosing "Save video as." Worship Aid (PDF)

 

LEFT: Marilyn, 1937. MIDDLE LEFT: First Holy Communion, 1944. MIDDLE RIGHT: Graduation from St. Joseph Academy, 1954.

LEFT: Sister Marilyn with her parents, Noel and Ruth Francoeur, 1954. MIDDLE: Sister Marilyn Francoeur, left, with her aunt, Sister Mary Petronilla Francoeur, 1985. RIGHT: Sister Marilyn Francoeur greets Archbishop Joseph Bernardin of Chicago during the silver anniversary of Regina Dominican High School in Wilmette, Illinois, September 8, 1982.

LEFT: Sister Marilyn at the Archive office, September 2012. MIDDLE: The Francoeur siblings, from left, John, Marilyn, Doug, Herline, and Larry, at their mother’s 80th birthday celebration, 1995. RIGHT: Sister Marilyn points to her garden at the Motherhouse, September 2012.

LEFT: Attending the Lenawee County Historical Society Dinner are, standing, from left, Sister Marilyn Francoeur, Associate Arlene Bachanov, and Sister Jean Tobin, and seated, from left, Sisters Else Britt Nielsen, visiting from Norway; Nadine Foley; and Beverly Bobola. RIGHT: Members of the 2014 Diamond Jubilee Crowd are: back row, from left, Sisters Jeanne Marie Stickling, Gail Himrod, Marilyn Francoeur, Rose Ann Schlitt, Esther Kennedy, and Clarice Moyle; middle row, from left, Sisters Norlee McDonnell, Mary Ann Letzgus, Marlene Ptaszynski, Alice Marie Schmid, and Ellen Schmitz; and front row, from left, Sisters Evelyn Piche, Joan Baustian, Marianne O’Neill, Teresita Ruíz, and Therese Reynolds. 

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