(1934-2026)

Therese Bayus, the future Sister Mary Vianne, had not even entered the Congregation yet when, the year after graduating from high school, she found herself teaching sixty-eight third graders at St. Clement School in Center Line, Michigan. It was surely good training for her later educational ministries as a Sister.

“I shall never forget those children and dare to say that they were my favorite youngsters,” she wrote in her life story.

Therese was the oldest child of Stephen and Viola (Schutz) Bayus, born on March 25, 1934, in North Branch, Michigan. Twins Paul and Pauline (known as Polly) arrived thirteen months later.

“Mom was kept busy with the three of us,” Sister Vianne wrote. “She was always happy and my earliest recollections were that she was always singing as she went about the many tasks babies require.”

By the time Therese was school age, the family had moved to Center Line, Michigan, where Stephen worked as a tool and die maker. At some point, as evidenced by Therese’s application to enter the Congregation, Viola became an office worker.

Therese attended St. Clement School all the way through her high school years. The school was staffed by the Racine Dominican Sisters, and “I loved them dearly and was at the convent every chance I got.” In fact, after she made her first communion in second grade she often begged her mother to let her leave home and go live at the convent with the Sisters. “I couldn’t understand why that was not possible,” she wrote.

Read more about Sister Mary Vianne (PDF)

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)

Vigil and Funeral Recordings

Note: To view recordings with closed captioning, they must be viewed on our public video library rather than through the links below.

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

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