(1934-2023)

Sister Joan Marconi, formerly known as Sister Joseph Elaine Marconi, died at the Dominican Life Center in Adrian on Thursday, September 14, 2023. She was 89 and in the 73rd year of her religious profession in the Adrian Dominican Congregation.

Sister Joan was born in Boston, Massachusetts, to Armand and Irene (Gagliardi) Marconi. She graduated from St. Joseph Academy in Adrian, received a bachelor’s degree in biology and a master’s degree in mixed sciences from Siena Heights College (University) in Adrian, and earned a bachelor’s degree in occupational therapy from Florida International University in Miami. 

Sister ministered in elementary and secondary education for 26 years in Walled Lake, Michigan; St. Charles, Joliet, and Chicago, Illinois; and Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach, Florida. This includes two years at Rosarian Academy, a legacy institution of the Congregation, in West Palm Beach. 

Sister Joan also served in occupational therapy for more than 16 years in Fort Lauderdale, North Miami, Miami Shores, Boynton Beach, and West Palm Beach, all in Florida. This includes three years as chair of the Occupational Therapy Department at Barry University, a sponsored institution of the Congregation in Miami Shores. She served the Congregation for five years as the Director of Plant Operations and four years as a staff member in the Office of Information. 

Sister Joan became a resident of the Dominican Life Center in Adrian in 2012. She was preceded in death by her parents and is survived by loving family members and her Adrian Dominican Sisters.

Visitation will be held from 6:30 to 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 19, 2023, in the gathering space of St. Catherine Chapel. The Vigil Prayer will be at 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, September 19, 2023, in St. Catherine Chapel. A Funeral Mass will be offered in St. Catherine Chapel at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, September 20, 2023. 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, Michigan, 49221. Funeral arrangements are being handled by Anderson-Marry Funeral Home, Adrian.

Sister's Memorial Card (PDF)

 

Vigil and Funeral Recordings

Recording of Sister Joan's Vigil Service - After clicking the link, download the recording by clicking on the three dots at the bottom right corner of the screen and choosing "Download." Worship Aid (PDF)

Recording of Sister Joan's Funeral Mass - After clicking the link, download the recording by clicking on the three dots at the bottom right corner of the screen and choosing "Download." Worship Aid (PDF)

 

Left: Joan, at six weeks, in the arms of her mother, Irene Marconi; Left Center: Sister Joseph Elaine; Right Center: Sister Joan (Joseph Elaine) with her father, Armand Marconi; Right: From left, Sisters Marilyn Francoeur, Joan Marconi, and Therese Groulx, August 2003.

Left: From left, Sisters Catherine Olds, Mary Frances Fleischaker, Patricia Leonard, and Joan Marconi; Right: Gathering during General Chapter 2004 are, from left, Sisters Joan Marconi, Dorothy Guettler, Louise Borgacz, Dorothy Booms, Barbara Ann Hehr, and Rose Celeste O’Connell.

Left: From left, Sisters Mary Louise Gass, Anthonita Porta, Joan Marconi, Kathleen Sutherland, Theodora McKennan, and Rina Cappellazzo; Center: Sisters Joan Marconi, left, and Thérèse Haggerty; Right: Sisters Joan Marconi, left, and Thérèse Haggerty attend the December 2014 Christmas bazaar at the Dominican Life Center.

Members of the 2010 Diamond Jubilee February Crowd are: back row, from left, Sisters Carol Johannes, Rina Cappellazzo, Joseph Eugene Fogarty, Barbara Hubbard, Mary Mackert, and Mary Louise Gass; middle row, from left, Sisters Joan Marconi, Diane Erbacher, Paul James Villemure, Charlotte Francis Moser, Mary Anthony Marelli, and Kathleen Sutherland; and front row, from left, Sisters Theodora McKennan, Mary Jo Sieg, Florence Marie Viaches, Michael Claire Wilson, Barbara Ann Mason, and Donna Markham (Prioress).

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