(1934-2026)

Sister Frances “Fran” Madigan, baptized Laverne Frances Madigan and formerly known as Sister Frances Dennine, died on Sunday, August 2, 2026, at the Dominican Life Center in Adrian. She was 91 years of age and in the 73rd year of her religious profession in the Adrian Dominican Congregation.
 
Sister Fran was born in Chicago to Dennis and Josephine (Desmedt) Madigan. She graduated from Loretto Academy in Chicago and received a bachelor’s degree in English from Siena Heights College (University) in Adrian and a master’s degree in reading from Northern Illinois University, DeKalb.  
 
She ministered for more than 30 years in education in Detroit, Michigan; Aiken, South Carolina; Melbourne and Boynton Beach, Florida; and Mundelein, Elgin, and Chicago, Illinois. This includes one year as principal at St. Laurence in Chicago, five years as principal at Our Lady of Lourdes in Melbourne, and one year as director of education at the Sylvan Learning Center in Boynton Beach.
 
Sister Fran served the Congregation for four years as the complex administrator in Adrian. She ministered for eight years as director of social ministry at St. Joan of Arc Parish, Boca Raton, Florida, and spent seven years in parish ministry at St. Jude Parish, also in Boca Raton. She served as a health clinic administrator for the Migrant Association South Florida (now the Caridad Center) in Boynton Beach. From 2006 on she held several volunteer positions in Boca Raton, New Orleans, and Adrian.  Sister became a resident of the Dominican Life Center in 2018.
 
Sister Fran was preceded in death by her parents; a sister, Frances Madigan; and two brothers, Lawrence Madigan and Dennis Madigan, Jr. She is survived by two brothers, Terrence Madigan (Marleen) and Thomas Madigan; one sister, Karen Wimer; other loving family members; and her Adrian Dominican Sisters.
 
Visitation will be held from 6:30  to 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, August 5, 2026, in the gathering space of St. Catherine Chapel. The Vigil Prayer will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, August 5, 2026, in St. Catherine Chapel. A Funeral Mass will be offered in St. Catherine Chapel at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, August 6, 2026. Prayers of Committal will be held in the Congregation Cemetery. 

Those who are 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 Services, Adrian.

Sister's Memorial Card (PDF)

LEFT: Laverne, circa 1940. MIDDLE LEFT: Graduation photo of Laverne, the future Sister Frances Madigan, 1947. MIDDLE: Laverne, the future Sister Francis, age 9, with her baby sister Franny. MIDDLE RIGHT: Sister Frances Dennine, 1958.

LEFT: Sisters Carmen Rose Álvarez, OP, seated, and Sister Frances Madigan. MIDDLE: From left, Sisters Elizabeth Ross, Linda Bevilacqua, Luisa Campos, Lorraine Sinn, and Frances Madigan, 2012. RIGHT: From left, Sisters Carmen Álvarez, Eileen Sullivan, and Frances Madigan.

LEFT: Taking part in the Diocese of Palm Beach Jubilee celebration on May 13, 2017, are, from left, Sisters Mary Therese Napolitan (60 years), Donna Baker (50 years), Imelda Marie Eckhoff (70 years), and Frances Madigan (65 years). RIGHT: From left, Sisters Jeanne Lefebvre, Carol Denise Koenig, and Frances Madigan in the Dominican Life Center lobby.

Members of the Diamond Jubilarian Crowd of 2012 are: back row, from left, Sisters Dorothy Booms, Lorraine Pepin, Carolyn Nelson, Reta Drexler, Arlene Marie Kosmatka, Frances Madigan, and Attracta Kelly (Prioress); middle row, from left, Sisters Kathryn Hartnett, Marguerite Renuart, Maureen Keeler, Lorraine Sinn, and Cora Marie Campbell; and front row, from left, Sisters Anne Cenci, Ann Kelly, Joann Weigang, and Magdalena Ezoe.  

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