(1935-2026)

Sister Mary Bernard Lynch, baptized Marie Malgherita Lynch and known as Sister Bernard, died on Monday, October 5, 2026, at the Dominican Life Center in Adrian. She was 91 years of age and in the 73rd year of her religious profession in the Adrian Dominican Congregation.

Sister was born in Chicago to James and Marie (Landerer) Lynch. She graduated from Sacred Heart High School in Chicago and received a bachelor’s degree in biology from Siena Heights College (University) in Adrian and a Master of Pharmacy degree and a Doctor of Pharmacy degree, both from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. Sister was a registered pharmacist in Michigan, Kentucky, Illinois, and Indiana.

Sister Bernard ministered for eight years in elementary education in Detroit and Jackson, Michigan, and in Fort Pierce, Florida. She served for 34 years as a pharmacist in Lebanon, Kentucky; Gary, Indiana; East St. Louis and Oak Lawn, Illinois; and Adrian, Michigan. This includes more than 10 years as pharmacist for the Adrian Dominican Sisters and 13 years at Christ Hospital in Oak Lawn. She then ministered for 16 years as pastoral associate for St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Orland Park, Illinois. She became a resident of the Dominican Life Center in Adrian in 2016.

She was preceded in death by her parents; a sister, Therese Boretti; and three cousins: Aileen McClain, OP, Helen Thomas McClain, OP, and Ellen Vincent McClain, OP, all Adrian Dominican Sisters. She is survived by a sister, Regina Loritz; a brother, James B. Lynch; other loving family members; and her Adrian Dominican Sisters.

Prayers of Committal will be held at 2:30 p.m. on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, in the Congregation Cemetery. The Vigil Prayer will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, in St. Catherine Chapel. A Memorial Mass will be in St. Catherine Chapel at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, October 8, 2026. 

Those not attending the Vigil Prayer and the Memorial Mass 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, MI, 49221. Funeral arrangements are being handled by Anderson-Marry Funeral Services, Adrian.

Sister's Memorial Card (PDF)

Vigil and Funeral Recordings

Recording of Sister Bernard'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 Bernard'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: Marie Malgherita at the age of 1. MIDDLE LEFT: Marie Malgherita Lynch. MIDDLE RIGHT: First Holy Communion. RIGHT: Postulant Marie with her sisters, Regina and Therese Marie.

LEFT: Sister Mary Bernard with her parents, Marie and James Lynch, 1953. MIDDLE LEFT: Sisters Therese Mary Foote, left, and Mary Bernard Lynch working in Dominican Pharmacy in Adrian. MIDDLE RIGHT: Sister Mary Bernard Lynch works in the Dominican Pharmacy in Adrian, 1972. 

LEFT: Sister Mary Bernard on her Golden Jubilee, 2003, with Father Ed Upton of St. Francis of Assisi Parish, Orland Park, Illinois, where Sister Mary Bernard ministered as pastoral associate. MIDDLE: Sister Mary Bernard in front of St. Francis of Assisi Church, Orland Park, Illinois, where she ministered as pastoral associate. RIGHT: Sister Mary Bernard volunteers in the Congregation’s Archive, 2016-2017.

Members of the 2013 Diamond Jubilee August 1953 Reception Crowd are: back row, from left, Sisters Attracta Kelly, OP (Prioress), Joan Zinn, Renee Richie, Mary Bernard Lynch, and Joanne “Jody” Screes, and front row, from left, Sisters Mary Tindel, Helen Sohn, Bernadette Therese Vozobule, Patricia Johnson, and Mary I. Assenmacher.

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