(1939-2026)

Sister Frances “Fran” Lombaer, formerly known as Sister Virginia Francis Lombaer, died on Monday, July 6, 2026, at the Dominican Life Center in Adrian, Michigan. She was 86 years of age and in the 68th year of her religious profession in the Adrian Dominican Congregation.

Sister Fran was born in Chicago to Francis and Virginia (Seidensticker) Lombaer. She graduated from Aquinas High School in Chicago and received a bachelor’s degree in English from Siena Heights College (University) in Adrian; a master’s degree in elementary education from Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff, Arizona; and a master’s degree in religious education from the University of San Francisco.

Sister Fran ministered for 23 years in elementary and secondary education in Santa Cruz, Oakland, Hollister, and San Francisco, California; Las Vegas, Nevada; and Modimong, South Africa. She served four years in parish and administrative ministries in Santa Cruz and San Francisco, California. Also in California, she was co-provincial/administrator of Holy Cross Province for three years, and a unit secretary at Dominican Hospital, Santa Cruz, a legacy institution of the Congregation, for three years.

In Adrian, Sister served the Congregation on the Portfolio Advisory Board staff for four years; in the Archives Department for seven years, six of those as Congregation Archivist; at Siena Heights University, also a legacy institution, as secretary for the McNair Scholars Program for one-half year; and at the Dominican Life Center Clinic for nine years.

Sister Fran was preceded in death by her parents; her sister, Kathryn Granahan; and her brother, Francis “Budd” Lombaer, Jr. Sister is survived by other loving family members and her Adrian Dominican Sisters.

Prayers of Committal will be held at 2:30 p.m. on Tuesday, July 7, 2026, in the Congregation Cemetery. The Vigil Prayer will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, July 13, 2026, in St. Catherine Chapel. A Memorial Mass will be in St. Catherine Chapel at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, July 14, 2026.

Those not attending services in person are welcome to participate via livestream 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.

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