(1934-2023)

Sister Marlene Kuhnlein, formerly known as Sister Anthony Irene, died on Saturday, October 28, 2023, at the Dominican Life Center in Adrian, Michigan. She was 89 years of age and in the 72nd year of her religious profession in the Adrian Dominican Congregation.

Sister Marlene was born in Chicago to Anthony and Irene (Lowen) Kuhnlein. She graduated from St. Joseph Academy in Adrian and received a bachelor’s degree in Latin from Siena Heights College (University) in Adrian, a master’s degree in education from DePaul University in Chicago, and a Master of Social Work degree in clinical social work from Barry College (University) in Miami Shores, Florida.

Sister ministered in education for 22 years in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, and in Oak Lawn, Riverdale, Chicago, Maywood, and Wilmette, Illinois. This includes two years of teaching at Regina Dominican High School, a legacy institution of the Congregation in Wilmette. She ministered as a staff member at St. Vincent Home in Miami, Florida, for four years and as a case worker/social worker at Catholic Charities in Jacksonville, Florida, for seven years. 

Sister Marlene served the Congregation as secretary for the Southwest Chapter Office from 1989 to 1993 in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and Mesa, Arizona. She also worked as a pastoral counselor, social worker, and bereavement companion for Community Hospice and FHP Hospice in Phoenix for five years and as secretary for the Diocese of Phoenix for more than a year. 

Sister became a resident of the Dominican Life Center in Adrian in 2009. She was preceded in death by her parents; her stepfather, Theodore Hoffman; and a stepbrother, Theodore Hoffman, Jr. She is survived by other loving family members and her Adrian Dominican Sisters.

Visitation will be held from 6:30 to 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, November 2, 2023, in the gathering space of St. Catherine Chapel. The Vigil Prayer will be held at 7:00 p.m. Thursday, November 2, 2023, in St. Catherine Chapel. A Funeral Mass will be offered in St. Catherine Chapel at 10:30 a.m. Friday, November 3, 2023. 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.

Memorial gifts may be made to Adrian Dominican Sisters, 1257 East Siena Heights Drive, Adrian, Michigan, 49221. Funeral arrangements are being handled by Anderson-Marry Funeral Home, Adrian.

Sister's Memorial Card (PDF)

 

Vigil and Funeral Recordings

Recording of Sister Marlene's Vigil Service - After clicking the link, download the recording by clicking on the three dots at the bottom right corner of the screen and choosing "Download." Worship Aid (PDF)

Recording of Sister Marlene's Funeral Mass - After clicking the link, download the recording by clicking on the three dots at the bottom right corner of the screen and choosing "Download." Worship Aid (PDF)

 

Left: Baby Marlene, 1934: Left Center: Marlene at the age of five in the peonies in front of her grandparents’ house; Right Center: Marlene Kuhnlein; Right: Marlene Kuhnlein stands with her mother Irene and her stepfather Theodore Hoffman on her graduation from Ascension School in Harvey, Illinois.

Left: Marlene Kuhnlein; Left Center: Sister Anthony Arlene (Marlene); Right Center: Sister Anthony Arlene (Marlene) in her classroom in Riverdale, Illinois, 1960s; Right: Sisters Marlene Kuhnlein, left, and Maria Goretti Browne

Left: Sisters serving together in Albuquerque, New Mexico, 2005-2009, were, from left, Sisters Marlene Kuhnlein, Geneal Kramer, Ann Rozalia Szabo, Marie Luisa Vasquez, Mary Daria Herbella, and Pauline Richter; Center: Sisters Marlene Kuhnlein, left, and Beverly Bobola at the Chapter Assembly in San Jose, California, October 2005; Right: Sister Marlene Kuhnlein poses in the St. Catherine of Siena Library, August 2016.

Members of the 2010 Diamond Jubilee December Reception Crowd are: back row, from left, Sisters Kieran Therese Quirke, Mary White, Ann Rozalia Szabo, Shirley Smith, Jeannine Therese McGorray, Geraldine Maloney, and Sean Morley; middle row, from left, Sisters Rita Crotty, Lucy Ann Quinn, Loretta May, Noreen Burke, Genevieve Jeziolkowski, Marlene Kuhnlein, and Janet Michael Hudspeth; and front row, from left, Sisters Lila Watt, Carol Denise Koenig, Virginia Beattie, Maria Goretti Browne, Ellen Kennedy, Joseph Eilese Hukle, and Donna Markham (Prioress).

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