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(1942-2021)
She served well wherever and whenever she was asked – and never lost her love of and respect for people.
These words by Sister Nancyann Turner concluded her remembrance of Sister Adrienne Schaffer for the wake service held after Sister Adrienne’s unexpected passing shortly before Thanksgiving 2021.
Sister Adrienne was born in Detroit on August 17, 1942, the middle of three children born to Leo and Hildegarde (Ettinger) Schaffer. “Bookending” her, so to speak, were brothers Keith and Kenneth.
“She loved being the only girl. She received a lot of attention and had no desire to have a sister,” Sister Mary Jane Lubinski, Mission Prioress of the Catherine of Siena Mission Chapter, said in her eulogy for Sister Adrienne. “Another brother would be fine, but she enjoyed her ‘princess’ place in the family.”
The Schaffer family lived in Harper Woods, adjacent to Detroit, where Adrienne attended Our Lady Queen of Peace School and then St. Ambrose High School, graduating in 1960. It was at St. Ambrose that she got to know the Adrian Dominican Sisters, and in the spring of 1960 she wrote to Mother Gerald seeking admission to the Congregation.
Read more about Sister Adrienne (PDF)
Memorial gifts may be made to Adrian Dominican Sisters, 1257 East Siena Heights Drive, Adrian, Michigan, 49221.
Leave your comments and remembrances (if you don't see the comment box below, click on the "Read More" link).
Rest In Peace Addie,I will miss your Florida for visits. My condolences to the family. John Owens
Dear Sisters, I am saddened by the loss of this dear Adrienne who became a wonderful friend of mine while I was ministering in Fairbanks Alaska. What a treasure she was in my life, and memories are swirrling about our times together from church things to fishing and camping--she really loved Alaska too. But we lost contact with one another, and so this news comes as a shock to me.If there is any way I can write to her family please let me know. I'm glad that the Fairbanks diocese recognized her service and that Bishop Chad is offering a special mass for her at the Cathedral parish where I served from 77 to 82.Tomorrow our Jesuit community here in Tacoma Washington (Bellarmine Prep) will offer mass for her and all you wonderful women. I will send a card later.Grateful for her life,Gene
My heart is breaking ,I MET sr, when i was 15 at St. JOSEPH Academy. she was by go to when i got in trouble once even hid me in her closet when mother sperior was after me. when w raided the frig she was their with us. THAN THRU THE YEARS WE RECONNECT. GETTING CLOSER AND CLOSER. I CALLED HER MY CONFESSOR. COULD TALL HER ANYTHING ASK HER ANY THING.SHE WAS ALWAYS THEIR FOR ME. WE SPENT TIME AT HER HOUSE WITH SISTER PAT. LOVE SR. PAT SHE IS A HOOT. SHE MADE MANY TRIPS TO THE SOO AND STAYED WITH US. SHE LOVED THE UP. AND COLAR CHANGES. THEY RENTED A CABIN IN OSCODA AND WE WENT DOWN AND SPENT TIME WITH THEM. THEY ALWAYS MADE THE BEST DINNERS FOR MY HUSBAND. WHAT EVER HE WANTED THEY HAD IT.JUST TALKED TO HER 2 WEEKS BEFORE HER PASSINF WITH PLANS FOR THIS SUMMER.IAM A TERRIBLE SPELLER SORRY. BUT MY HEART MEANS WELL.love AND WILL NEVER FORGET YOU sr. Adrain.hoping sr, pat will stay in our lives. BONNIE AND GEORGE SYNETT
Adrienne was a great "home" missionary. She did so much to support our Dominican Republic missions by connecting us with donors and being sure that our needs were being met. Her support as development director was gracious and kind.
Our Adrian Dominican cemetery with its circular headstones is a beautiful place of rest for women who gave their lives in service to God — and a peaceful place for contemplation and remembrance.
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