(1936-2023)

Sister Marlene Ptaszynski, formerly known as Sister Karen Marie Ptaszynski, died on April 28, 2023, at the Dominican Life Center in Adrian, Michigan. She was 86 years of age and in the 68th year of her religious profession in the Adrian Dominican Congregation.

Sister Marlene was born in Detroit to Joseph and Gertrude (Stachowiak) Ptaszynski. She graduated from Dominican High School in Detroit and earned a bachelor’s degree in mathematics and a master’s degree in education administration, both from Siena Heights College (University) in Adrian. 

Sister Marlene spent 17 years ministering in education in Adrian, Ubly, and Detroit, Michigan; Medina and Cleveland, Ohio; and Chicago, Illinois. This included service at two Congregation-sponsored institutions: four years at Dominican High School in Detroit and four years as a teacher and one year as an assistant principal/teacher at Hoban Dominican High School in Cleveland. She later served four years as a pastoral minister in Detroit, followed by 38 years as a chaplain at hospitals in Mount Clemens and Clinton Township, Michigan, and five years in volunteer pastoral care for a nursing facility in Fraser, Michigan. 

Sister Marlene became a resident of the Dominican Life Center in 2021. She was preceded in death by her parents and her sister, Beverly-Ann Michon. She is survived by loving family and her Adrian Dominican Sisters.

Those who are not attending services in person are welcome to participate via live stream at https://adriandominicans.org/Live-Stream.

Visitation will be held from 6:30 to 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 4, 2023, in the gathering space of St. Catherine Chapel. The Vigil Prayer will be held at 7:00 p.m. Thursday, May 4, 2023, in St. Catherine Chapel. A Funeral Mass will be offered in St. Catherine Chapel at 10:30 a.m. Friday, May 5, 2023. Prayers of Committal will be held in the Congregation Cemetery. 

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 for Sister Marlene

Worship Aid (PDF)

Download video. Videos will be posted for 4-6 weeks, then removed.

Funeral for Sister Marlene

Worship Aid (PDF)

Download video. Videos will be posted for 4-6 weeks, then removed.

 

Left: Sister Marlene Ptaszynski as an infant; Center: Sister Marlene Ptaszynski Graduation picture; Right: Sister Marlene Ptaszynski

Left: From left, Sisters Marlene Ptaszynski, Tarianne DeYonker, Barbara Rodrigues, and Kathleen Bruton; Right: Sister Marlene Ptaszynski, OP

Left: Joseph and Gertrude Ptaszynski, Sister Marlene’s parents; Center: The Ptaszynski family, from left, Sister Marlene; parents Gertrude and Joseph; and Beverly Ann, sister; Right: From left, Sisters Marlene Ptaszynski and Mary Louise Putrow

Members of the 2014 Diamond Jubilee Crowd are: back row, from left, Sisters Gail Himrod, Marilyn Francoeur, Susan Mary Parker, Attracta Kelly (Prioress), Esther Kennedy, Patricia McCarty, Rose Ann Schlitt, and Clarice Moyle; fourth row, from left, Sisters Jeanne Marie Stickling, Ana Feliz, Marlene Ptaszynski, Dorita Wotiska, Alice Marie Schmid, Ellen Schmitz, and Joyce Hibbert; third row, from left, Sisters Diane Weifenbach, Barbara Gentry, Norlee McDonnell, Dorothy Dempsey, Therese Reynolds, Phyllis Kreiner, and Joan Baustian; second row, from left, Sisters Beth Ellen Butler, Yolanda Pomante, Jeanine Boivin, Mary Trzasko, Mary Ann Letzgus, Anele Heiges, Teresita Ruíz, and Ruth Anne Kelly; and front, Marianne O’Neill.

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