(1936-2025)

Sister Christine Matthews, formerly known as Sister James Elizabeth, died on Thursday, December 11, 2025, at the Dominican Life Center, Adrian, Michigan. She was 89 years of age and in the 69th year of her religious profession in the Adrian Dominican Congregation. 

Sister was born in Grosse Pointe, Michigan, to James and Grace (Austin) Matthews. She graduated from Dominican High School in Detroit and received a bachelor’s degree in English from Siena Heights College (University) in Adrian, a master’s degree in reading from Barry College (University) in Miami, and a master’s degree in religious education from Seattle University. 

Sister Christine ministered for 30 years in various levels of education in Jackson and Adrian, Michigan; Pensacola and Jacksonville, Florida; Scottsdale, Arizona; and Santurce, Puerto Rico. This includes more than 10 years at Siena Heights University in Adrian as coordinator of the Theological Studies Program in the Diocese of Saginaw and then as the University’s alumni relations assistant. 

Sister served six years as a member of the Congregation’s General Council and six years on the Congregation’s Mission Service Team. She also served for seven years as the Executive Director of the National Association of Church Personnel Administrators (NACPA) in Cincinnati, three years as the Director of Leadership Formation for the Diocese of Toledo, and three years in community development at the Northern Free State Institute in Kroonstad, South Africa.

Sister Christine was preceded in death by her parents; a sister, Mary J. Rowley; and a brother, Michael J. Matthews. She is survived by two sisters, Grace Varga and Janet Anne Greene; other loving family members; and her Adrian Dominican Sisters. 

Visitation will be held from 6:30 to 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, in the gathering space of St. Catherine Chapel. The Vigil Prayer will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, in St. Catherine Chapel. A Funeral Mass will be offered in St. Catherine Chapel at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, December 17, 2025. 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 Home, Adrian.

LEFT: Graduation photo, Dominican High School, Detroit, 1955. MIDDLE LEFT: Reception Day, 1955. MIDDLE RIGHT: Sister James Elizabeth (Christine) with her parents, James and Grace Matthews. RIGHT: Sisters Christine Matthews and Tarianne DeYonker.

LEFT: Sister Christine Matthews during a farewell party from the National Association of Church Personnel Administrators (NACPA), 1992. MIDDLE: Members of the 1992-1998 General Council are: back row, from left, Sisters Anne Guinan, Patricia Siemen, and Molly Nicholson, and front row, from left, Patricia Walter (Prioress) and Christine Matthews. RIGHT: From left, Sisters Christine Matthews, Geraldine Megel, and Mary J. Beaubien begin their mission in Kroonstad, South Africa, September 2002.

LEFT: From left, blood sisters Mary, Janet, Grace, and Sister Christine celebrate her Silver Jubilee in Adrian, May 17, 1981. RIGHT: Attending a discernment gathering for service in Africa are, from left, Sisters Mary Pat Dewey, Overseas Chapter Prioress; Christine Matthews, General Council Liaison; Frances Lombaer; Mary Margaret Pachucki; Mary Celeste Lynch; Geneal Kramer; and Jean Tobin, March 1993.

LEFT: Sister Christine Matthews speaks at a special event at Dominican High School and Academy, Detroit.

Members of the 1997-1998 Leadership Council are: back row, from left, Sisters Anne Guinan, Nancyann Turner, Molly Nicholson, Joella Miller, Mary Margaret Mannard, Rose Ann Schlitt, Barbara Stanek, Patricia Siemen, and Christine Matthews, and, front row, from left, Sisters Patricia Walter (Prioress), Kathryn Cliatt, Lorraine Mordenski, Jane Robert Stuckel, Marie Carleen Maly, Celestine Dunne, Rosemary Asaro, and Rose Celeste O’Connell.

Members of the 2025 Double-Diamond Jubilee Crowd are: back row, from left, Sisters Rita Rose Sieg, Christine Matthews, Nancyann Turner, Jovanna Stein, Kathleen Waters, Joan Leo Kehn, Joan Mary, Sheila Delaney, Mary Kastens, Marilyn Winter, and Elise D. García (Prioress); and front row, from left, Sisters Mary Ann Ennis, Carol Coston, Norine Burns, Anneliese Sinnott, Rosalie Esquerra, Ann Ziemba, and Therese E. Allgeyer. Not shown are Sisters Rose Bernadette Hoeffner, Barbara Ann Long, and Martha Napior.

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