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(1924-2022)
Sister Julia Rudolph, formerly known as Sister Joseph Annette, died on Saturday, June 25, 2022, at the Dominican Life Center in Adrian. She was 97 years of age and in the 80th year of her religious profession in the Adrian Dominican Congregation.
Sister Julia was born in Hamtramck, Michigan, to Joseph and Anna Rudolph. She graduated from St. Joseph Academy in Adrian, received a Bachelor of Philosophy degree in History from Siena Heights College (University) in Adrian, and earned a Master of Education degree from University of Detroit (Detroit Mercy) in Detroit, Michigan.
Sister ministered in education for 32 years in Wyandotte, Detroit, Ruth, Harper Woods, St. Clair, and Ubly, Michigan; and Cincinnati and Medina, Ohio. She served 18 years in pastoral ministry in Bay City and Southgate, Michigan. Sister was principal for four years at St. Francis Xavier School in Medina, ministered one year as superior at St. Theresa Home for the Aged in Cincinnati, and served the Congregation for one year as activities assistant for Maria Health Care Center in Adrian. Sister became a resident at the Dominican Life Center in 2013.
Sister Julia was preceded in death by her parents, her step-father, John Kanczuga and her brother, George Rudolph (Lori), and her half-brother, John Kanczuga, Jr. She is survived by sisters, Sister Dorothy Rudolph and Sister Jean Annette Rudolph, her brothers, Arthur Rudolph (Pauline), of Shelby Township, Michigan, and a half-brother, Thomas Kanczuga of Detroit; loving nieces and nephews and her Adrian Dominican Sisters.
Due to COVID-19 mitigation protocols, the Dominican Life Center is closed to all guests or visitors until further notice. All are welcome to participate in Sister’s wake and funeral via live stream at https://adriandominicans.org/Live-Stream.
Rite of Committal (burial) for Sister Julia was held on Sunday, June 26, 2022, in the Congregation Cemetery. A Memorial Mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. ET on Wednesday, July 6, 2022, in St. Catherine Chapel.
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 Prayer Card (PDF)
Worship Aid (PDF)
Download video. Videos will be posted for 4-6 weeks, then removed.
Note: Per Sister Julia's wishes, there was no vigil/remembrance service.
Left: Julia with her mother Anna. Center: Dorothy, Julia, and Theresa Rudolph. Right: Sister Julia in ninth grade at St. Joseph Academy, Adrian
Left: Sister Julia Rudolph with the future Sister Theresa Mayrand, then in first grade. Right: Sisters Dorothy (Joan Annette) Rudolph, Jean Annette Rudolph, and Julia (Joseph Annette) Rudolph
Left: Sisters Theresa Martin Pigott (left) and Julia Rudolph enjoy their 1991 trip to Colorado Springs. Right: Back row, from left, Sister Dorothy Rudolph; brother Art Rudolph; and Sister Julia Rudolph; and front row, from left, Sister Jean Annette Rudolph and sister-in-law Pauline Rudolph.
Left: Sister Julia Rudolph with her mother Anna. Right: Members of the 2001 Diamond Jubilee Crowd are: back row, from left, Sisters Julia Rudolph, Ellen M. Murphy, Mary K. Duwelius, and Maris Stella Beaufait, and front row, from left, Sisters Mary Faith Glendening, Mary Dougherty, Adrienne Higgins, Ann M. Maloney, Paul Therese Kraus, and Mary Louise Doyle.
Our Adrian Dominican cemetery with its circular headstones is a beautiful place of rest for women who gave their lives in service to God — and a peaceful place for contemplation and remembrance.
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