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(1937-2021)
County Mayo and County Armagh in Ireland were the birthplaces of, respectively, Michael and Elizabeth (Dowdall) Cooney, the parents of Sister Leontia Cooney.
Michael and Elizabeth came to Canada, where both had family, in order to marry, and then moved to Detroit, where Michael got a job with the Ford Motor Company. The couple had four children: Patrick; Mary; Leontia (who came to be known simply as “Lee”), who was born on December 30, 1937; and Michael.
All the children had their primary education with the Adrian Dominican Sisters at St. Edward School, where in second grade Lee had her first thoughts about religious life when her teacher, Sister Fabian Jacyna, talked to the children about what Sisters did and the relationship they had to God.
Her junior and senior years of high school were spent at St. Mary’s Commercial School, run by the IHM Sisters. Her father wanted her to attend the commercial school because he thought secretarial work was a good, stable job for young women, and when Lee told her parents she wanted to become an Adrian Dominican Sister, he was hesitant. Her mother’s response, however, was that if that was what she wanted to do, they needed to support her.
Read more about Sister Leonita (pdf)
Memorial gifts may be made to Adrian Dominican Sisters, 1257 East Siena Heights Drive, Adrian, Michigan, 49221.
Leave your comments and remembrances (if you don't see the comment box below, click on the "Read More" link).
Sr. Lee was at St. Jude in Detroit when I arrived there in my first assignment after her brother Ordained me in March of 1989. I always found it a pleasure to work with Sr. Lee and she taught me many things, and was a great source of support in my first assignment. We left at the same time in 1993, but it was always a pleasure to meet at different events and keep in touch through Pat and Mike. As the Cooney's always gathered together on Sunday evenings, now they are together in the Kingdom....
As principal of St. Mary Catholic Central High School in Monroe, Michigan I had the pleasure of employing Sister Lee. Always professional, Sister Lee was the Director of Guidance and served on the administrative team. During her time at SMCC, the Guidance Office ran like a well-oiled machine and I always knew that the students were getting the best guidance and care. May Sister Lee rest in peace.Brother Bob Livernois, CSC
I was a frequent flyer of Sr. Lee’s.... 🤦🏻♀️Always being sent home or made to call home because my skirt was too short, or my inside out sweatshirt didn’t count as a sweater, (😂) or my socks were incorrect. She was constantly calling me to her office, such the rebel and difficult child I was. 😬Thank you for the life lessons and for always trying to guide me in the right direction, RIP Sister Lee. 🙏🏻Erinn Simons (former student at St. Jude)
Family friends for years May Sister Lee RIP happy to be with her family All our Love Joanie & Tommy
Sr. Michael Therese was a wonderful teacher and friend. She taught my typing class. She was quick to smile with us and she was probably my favorite teacher! May she rest in peace.
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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