(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.

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

 

LEFT: From left, the future Sister Frances, left, with her sister Kay at Kay’s first Holy Communion, 1944. MIDDLE LEFT: 1957 graduate from Aquinas High School, Chicago. RIGHT: Frances Lombaer, left, with her sponsor, Sister Rita Cecile Boyle, on Frances’ Entrance Day, June 26, 1957.

LEFT: From left, Sisters Thomas Gertrude (Mary Margaret) Mannard and Virginia Francis (Frances) Lombaer. MIDDLE: Sister Virginia Francis with her brother Budd Lombaer after her Reception in Adrian, December 1957. RIGHT: Family members at a gathering in August 1966 are: standing, from left, Budd Lombaer (brother) holding Robert Granahan (nephew), Virginia Lombaer (mother), Sister Virginia Francis Lombaer, Kathryn Granahan (sister), and Jack Granahan (brother-in-law); and seated, from left, Kevin Granahan (nephew), Frank Lombaer (father), John Granahan (nephew), and Katherine Lombaer (grandmother).

LEFT: Sister Frances during a visit to Rome, 1992. RIGHT: Sisters at a March 1993 discernment session for ministering in Africa are, from left, Sisters Mary Patricia Dewey, Chapter Prioress of Overseas Mission; Christine Matthews, General Council Liaison; Frances Lombaer; Mary Margaret Pachucki; Mary Celeste Lynch; Geneal Kramer; and Jean Tobin.

Members of the August 1991 Portfolio Advisory Board are: back row, from left, Sisters Frances Lombaer, Frances Nadolny, Maureen Fenlon, Juliann Flynn, Marion Coppe, and Carol Coston; middle row, from left, Sisters Corinne Florek, Attracta Kelly, Mary Katherine Dolan, Annette Sinagra, and Marion Goeddeke; and front row, from left, Sisters Patricia Reno, Judith Rimbey, Marie Michael, and Maureen Comer. 

Members of the 2007 Golden Jubilee Crowd are, back row, from left, Sisters Joella Miller, Mary Ann Phillip, Margaret Ann McGuiness, Mary Therese Napolitan, Barbara Cervenka, Sharon Culhane, and Evelyn Montez; middle row, from left, Sisters Joanne Evans, Jude Van Baalen, Janet Traut, Dorothea Gramlich, Eunice Drazba, Frances Lombaer, and Bernitha Glombowski; and front row, from left, Sisters Helen McAllister, Susan Kresse, Katherine Kenny, Joan Kowalski, Monica Kim, Helen Diane McGuirt, and Patricia Brady. Not pictured is Sister Patricia Reno.

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