(1938-2025)

Sister Mary Plunkett, formerly known as Sister John Clare, died on Tuesday, February 11, 2025, at the Dominican Life Center in Adrian, Michigan. She was 86 years of age and in the 68th year of her religious profession in the Adrian Dominican Congregation.

Sister Mary was born in Detroit to John and Hazel (Cutler) Plunkett. She graduated from Dominican High School in Detroit and obtained a bachelor’s degree in Spanish from Siena Heights College (University) in Adrian and a master’s degree in elementary education and a master’s degree in social work, both from Wayne State University in Detroit.

Sister Mary ministered for 30 years in education in Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach, Florida and Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, including two years as principal at the Colegio Santo Domingo; and East Detroit and Grosse Pointe Farms, Michigan. She later served 21 years as a psychiatric social worker at Macomb County Community Mental Health in Mount Clemens, Michigan. 

Sister became a resident of the Dominican Life Center in 2019.She was preceded in death by her parents and a cousin, Sister John Dominic Hatfield, an Adrian Dominican Sister. She is survived by her sister, Jane Emanoil (Ronald); other loving family members; and her Adrian Dominican Sisters.

Visitation will be held from 6:30 to 7:00 p.m. on Monday, February 17, 2025, in the gathering space of St. Catherine Chapel. The Vigil Prayer will be held at 7:00 p.m. Monday, February 17, 2025, in St. Catherine Chapel. A Funeral Mass will be offered in St. Catherine Chapel at 4:00 p.m. Tuesday, February 18, 2025. 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, MI, 49221. Funeral arrangements are being handled by Anderson-Marry Funeral Home, Adrian.

Sister's Memorial Card (PDF)

 

Vigil and Funeral Recordings

Recording of Sister Mary's Vigil Service - After clicking the link, download the recording by right-clicking on the video choosing "Save video as." Worship Aid (PDF)

Recording of Sister Mary's Funeral Mass - After clicking the link, download the recording by right-clicking on the video choosing "Save video as." Worship Aid (PDF)

 

LEFT: First Holy Communion. MIDDLE LEFT: 1956 graduate of Dominican High School, Detroit. MIDDLE RIGHT: Sister Mary Plunkett’s parents, John and Hazel. RIGHT: Sisters John Clare Plunkett, left, and Michael Eilese Doherty, Colegio Santo Domingo.

LEFT: From left, Sisters Mary Plunkett and Mary Catherine Daly in Mount Clemens, Michigan, 1990-2011. RIGHT: Sister Mary Plunkett, front and center, at the 1990 Great Lakes Mission Chapter Assembly.

Sister Mary Plunkett, far right, wearing a corsage, celebrates her Silver Jubilee with her family.

Members of the 2016 Diamond Jubilee June Crowd are: back row, from left, Sisters Margaret O’Flynn, Catherine Camille DeClercq, Jean Crane, Grace Dougherty, and Grace Henneberry; fourth row, from left, Sisters Mary Margaret Mannard, Mary Plunkett, Marian Castelluccio, Attracta Kelly (Prioress) and Donna Joan Mehney; third row, from left, Sisters Jeanne Lefebvre, Patricia Downey, Maureen Gallagher, and Mary Kathryn Cliatt; second row, from left, Sisters Marie Luisa Vasquez, Mary Catherine Gagliano, Jean Tobin, and Rosario Martin; and front row, seated, from left, Sisters Pauline Opliger and Sally  Ann Fergus.