(1936-2024)

In her March 2017 “A Sister’s Story” video, Sister Annette Sinagra said that spending many years of her life ministering in the Dominican Republic had instilled advocacy for social justice “in my bones.” That commitment led her, over those years, to do everything from ensuring latrines were built for marginalized women in the Dominican Republic to taking on some of the world’s biggest corporations.

Annette Marie Sinagra was born June 9, 1936, in Cleveland, Ohio, to Nate and Grace (Zangra) Sinagra. Grace was a native of Washington, D.C., while Nate emigrated to the U.S. from Sicily. His given name was originally Natale, but he was teased for it at school because “Natale” is Italian for “Christmas,” and so when he grew up he went to court to have it legally changed.

The couple had three children: Theresann, the oldest; Annette; and Anthony. Annette’s first job was working in the independent grocery store that her father owned for fifty years; she recalled in her “Sister’s Story” video that as a child during World War II her task was to cut one-pound packages of butter into quarters because butter was rationed and people could only buy the smaller portions.

She attended public schools throughout her elementary and secondary years, graduating from Cleveland Heights High School in January 1955. She then enrolled at Siena Heights College (University) right away, for the spring semester. When she went home for the summer, she took classes at John Carroll University and then spent the 1955-1956 school year back at Siena Heights.
Read more about Sister Annette (PDF)

Memorial gifts may be made to Adrian Dominican Sisters, 1257 East Siena Heights Drive, Adrian, MI, 49221. 

Sister's Memorial Card (PDF) - Note Sister Annette requested not to have her photo on the card.

 

Memorial and Remembrance Recordings

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

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

 

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