In Memoriam


Sister Marie Geraldine Brownell, OP

(1929-2023)

On June 24, 2023, Sister Marie Geraldine Brownell attended the Jubilee Mass to celebrate her 75th anniversary as an Adrian Dominican Sister, delighted in sharing the festive dinner afterward with several of her Sister-friends, and then retired to her room … where, early in the morning of June 25, she put the exclamation point on her Jubilee celebration by going home to her God. She was ninety-three years old.
 
By the time Jubilee 2023 arrived, Sister Geraldine’s health had declined to the point where she had been confined to her room at Maria, only venturing out for meals in the 2 South solarium. “But evidently, she was storing up her energy,” said Sister Judy Friedel, Holy Rosary Mission Chapter Prioress, at Sister Geraldine’s wake service. However she was able to do it – and with much help from the nurses, aides, and chaplains – Sister Geraldine was able to participate in that great celebration of her many years in the Congregation only hours before her passing.
 
Barbara Jane Brownell, the oldest child of Peter and Geraldine (Schlaff) Brownell, was born in Detroit on October 15, 1929, only days before the stock market crash that ushered in the Great Depression. As she wrote in her autobiography:

I grew up without realizing there was a depression since it was never discussed in my presence. I do remember how glad adults in my family were when Franklin Roosevelt was elected president, but I didn’t know why. I knew later that times were hard, but it seemed they were hard for everyone. Besides, I had nothing to which to compare them.

Read more about Sister Marie (PDF).

make a memorial giftMemorial gifts may be made to Adrian Dominican Sisters, 1257 East Siena Heights Drive, Adrian, Michigan, 49221. 

Sister's Memorial Card (PDF)

 

Leave your comments and remembrances (if you don't see the comment box below, click on the "Read More" link).

your Comment will be showing after administrator's approval







b i u quote



Save Comment
Showing 2 Comments
Avatar  Dolores Szymanski last yearReply

when was she at Dominican High School and what was her name?

Avatar  Editor last yearReply

Her baptismal name is: BARBARA JANE BROWNELL

She graduated from DHS in 1947, so minus 4 years would be 1943-1947.



Cemetery of the Adrian Dominican Sisters

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. 


Helpful Links

Event Recordings (Video Library)

Dominican School Alumnae/Alumni

Become an Adrian Dominican Associate

What do you have to do to become a Sister?

Share our blog, A Sister Reflects

Sign up for the monthly Veritas newsletter (or view our other publications)

Employment opportunities

 


We invite you to meet some of the wonderful women who have recently crossed into eternity.

2024

Recent Posts

Read More »