In Memoriam

We Remember

Sister Carmen Álvarez, OP

Smiling white haired woman in a blue blazer and glasses (1934-2026)

Sister Carmen Rose Álvarez, known as Sister Carmen, died on Monday, September 7, 2026, at the Dominican Life Center in Adrian, Michigan. She was 91 years of age and in the 60th year of her religious profession: 46 years with the Dominican Sisters of St. Catherine de’ Ricci in Elkins Park, Pennsylvania, and in her 14th year with the Adrian Dominican Congregation.

Sister Carmen was born in Havana, Cuba, to Fermín and Cora (Alberto) Álvarez Guzman. She graduated from high school in Cuba.

Sister Carmen served as an assistant at three Dominican retreat houses: one year in Dayton, Ohio; two years in Schenectady, New York; and two years in Kendall, Florida. She later worked with migrants at St. Ann Mission in Naranja, Florida, and in refugee resettlement in Miami, Florida.

Sister served several Florida parishes more than 33 years: one year in parish ministry at Immaculate Conception in Hialeah and 10 years at St. Hugh in Coconut Grove, five years in pastoral ministry and as the director of religious education at St. Helen Parish in Fort Lauderdale, and more than 17 years as a pastoral assistant and the Director of Hispanic Ministry at St. Joan of Arc Parish in Boca Raton. She later volunteered for more than seven years at St. Joan of Arc Parish and for Catholic Charities, also in Boca Raton.

Sister Carmen became a resident of the Dominican Life Center in 2018, after which she volunteered in the local migrant ministry and at the Adrian Rea Literacy Center.

Sister was preceded in death by her parents and her sister, Mirta Álvarez. She is survived by loving family members and her Adrian Dominican Sisters.

Visitation will be held from 6:30 to 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, in the gathering space of St. Catherine Chapel. The Vigil Prayer will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, in St. Catherine Chapel. A Funeral Mass will be offered in St. Catherine Chapel at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, September 17, 2026. Prayers of Committal will be held in the Congregation Cemetery.

Those not attending services in person are welcome to participate via live stream 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)

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

Collage of 4 photos with smiling women

LEFT: First Holy Communion, May 28, 1946. MIDDLE LEFT: High school graduation, 1956. MIDDLE RIGHT: Sister Carmen Rose in Cuba, 1961. RIGHT: Sister Carmen Rose with her sister, Mirta Álvarez.

Three photos of smiling women

LEFT: Sisters Carmen Rose Álvarez, seated, and Frances Madigan on December 8, 2012, the day that Sister Carmen Rose transferred into the Adrian Dominican Congregation. MIDDLE: The Stella Maris Mission Group celebrates Christmas on January 6, 2009. Shown are, standing, from left, Sisters Jean Rosaria Fisch and Frances Madigan, Associate Patricia O’Neill, and Sisters Joan Leo Kehn and Mary Therese Napolitan, and seated, from left, Sisters Carmen Rose Álvarez and Elizabeth Ross. LEFT: Sister Carmen Rose displays the 2016 Golden Rule Award she received in Boca Raton, Florida.

collage of smiling women and a man

LEFT: From left, Sisters Frances Madigan, Lorraine Sinn, and Carmen Rose Álvarez gather at the 65-year Jubilee celebration of Sister Lorraine in Boca Raton, Florida. MIDDLE: Cora Alberto, mother of Sister Carmen Rose Álvarez. RIGHT: Fermin Álvarez Guzman, father of Sister Carmen Rose Álvarez.

A large group of smiling women

Members of the 2014 Golden Jubilee Crowd are, back row, from left: Sisters Jacqueline Phillips, Mary Frances Fleischaker, Patricia (Pam) Millenbach, Attracta Kelly (Prioress), Sisters Mary Margaret Pachucki, Judith Friedel, Dianne Koszycki, Myra Jackson, Carmen Rose Álvarez, Rosemary Asaro, and Mary Ellen Plummer. Not shown are Sisters Judith Bisignano and Viviana Custo.

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WILELMINA HINCAPIE last weekReply

In Loving Memory of Sister Carmen
When I arrived in Boca Raton as a single mother with three children, Sister Carmen was one of the angels God placed in my path.
Through her kindness, generosity, and loving heart, she became an important part of our family and touched my children’s lives in ways I will never forget. As Samuel’s godmother, she held an especially meaningful place in our hearts.
Sister Carmen was someone who gave so much of herself to others and to her community. I will always be grateful for the love and support she gave my family when we needed it most.
Thank you, Sister Carmen, for being my angel, for loving my children, and for being such a beautiful part of our lives. Your love and kindness will remain in our hearts forever. Rest in peace.

Sister Carmen
Cuando llegué a Boca Ratón, sola y con mis tres hijos, Sister Carmen fue uno de esos ángeles que Dios puso en mi camino.
Con su bondad, generosidad y entrega, estuvo presente para mi familia y dejó una huella muy especial en la vida de mis hijos. Como madrina de Samuel, uno de mis gemelos, siempre ha ocupado un lugar muy especial en nuestros corazones.
Sister Carmen es de esas personas que viven para servir y dar amor a los demás. Nunca olvidaré todo lo que hizo por nosotros cuando más lo necesitábamos.
Gracias, Sister Carmen, por haber sido mi ángel, por amar a mis hijos y por ser parte de nuestra historia. Siempre llevaré tu cariño y tu bondad en mi corazón.

Tagged With: Carmen Rose Álvarez, Sister Carmen / 353 Views

Cemetery of the Adrian Dominican Sisters

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.