(1939-2026)

Fran was involved in some way in many of the Adrian Dominican ministries. She was constantly reaching out to others – always giving of herself in whatever way she could or was called to. Even with our crowd, she was the first to gather us for a party to celebrate birthdays or just to get together. Fran was a very happy person who lived life and someone you wanted to be with.

In the homily she preached for Sister Fran Lombaer’s memorial Mass, Sister Joella Miller was describing a woman whose ministries had encompassed teaching (including two years at a school in South Africa), administration, tutoring at the prison in Adrian, serving on the Congregation’s Portfolio Advisory Board and as Congregational Archivist, and much more.

Sister Fran was born in Chicago on August 18, 1939, to Francis and Virginia (Seidensticker) Lombaer. Although she was baptized Helen Frances, she was always known simply as Fran. She was the couple’s middle child, following Kathryn and preceding Francis, whom the family called Budd.

The elder Francis was drafted into the Navy during World War II and served in the Pacific for eighteen months before contracting a tropical infection and being medically discharged. In civilian life, he was an electrician for Illinois Bell for forty-seven years. As for Virginia, she worked part-time jobs while Fran was in elementary school and then spent twenty years as a clerk in the Chicago Public School System.

Fran’s introduction to the Adrian Dominican Sisters came at St. Philip Neri School, and the Sisters taught at Aquinas Dominican High School as well. “An eager student, I loved school and thrived on learning,” she wrote in her autobiography. She also participated in many school activities, including, at Aquinas, playing drums and then cello in the orchestra and being part of the sodality (a pious organization devoted to Mary), where she was elected an officer.

Read more about Sister Frances (PDF)

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)

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