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(1923-2024)
Sister Miriam Joseph Lekan, baptized Josephine Bernadette Lekan, died on Saturday, November 23, 2024, at the Dominican Life Center in Adrian. She was 101 years of age and in the 81st year of her religious profession in the Adrian Dominican Congregation.
Sister was born in Cleveland, Ohio, to Joseph and Frances (Perko) Lekan. She graduated from Holy Name High School in Cleveland and received a bachelor’s degree in Latin from Siena Heights College (University) in Adrian and a master’s degree in Latin from DePaul University in Chicago. Sister Miriam Joseph was also a licensed practical nurse, certified by the State of Ohio, and a pharmacologist, also certified in Ohio.
Sister Miriam Joseph spent more than 37 years ministering in elementary and secondary education in Rockford and Oak Park, Illinois; Utica, Dearborn, and Grand Ledge, Michigan; Hollywood, Florida; and Cleveland, Shaker Heights, and Medina, Ohio. This includes six years as principal at St. Michael School in Grand Ledge. Sister also ministered as a licensed practical nurse for more than seven years at St. John Hospital and for 10 years at St. Augustine Manor, both in Cleveland.
Sister Miriam Joseph became a resident of the Dominican Life Center in Adrian in 2016. She is preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Cyril, Matt, John, Frank, Anthony, Deacon Louis Lekan, and Rev. Joseph Lekan, SM; sisters, Frances Mlincek, Marie Viskocil, Patricia (Angela) Sammons, and Rosalie (Sally) Lekan, and by a cousin, Sister Mary Ann Zakrajsek, and a third cousin, Sister Rose Pauline Lekan, both Adrian Dominican Sisters. She is survived by loving family members and her Adrian Dominican Sisters.
Visitation will be held from 6:30 to 7:00 pm on Tuesday, December 3, 2024, in the gathering space of St. Catherine Chapel. The Vigil Prayer will be held at 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, December 3, 2024, in St. Catherine Chapel. A Funeral Mass will be offered in St. Catherine Chapel at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, December 4, 2024. Prayers of Committal will be held in the Congregation Cemetery.
Those who are 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.
Sister's Memorial Card (PDF)
Recording of Sister Miriam Joseph'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 Miriam Joseph's Funeral Mass - After clicking the link, download the recording by right-clicking on the video choosing "Save video as." Worship Aid (PDF)
LEFT: Eighth-grade graduation from St. Lawrence School, Cleveland, June 1937. MIDDLE LEFT: Sister Miriam Joseph, then a novice, with her parents, 1943. MIDDLE RIGHT: Sister Miriam Joseph with students at Bishop Quarter Military Academy, where she ministered from 1948 to 1958. RIGHT: Sister Miriam Joseph Lekan at her graduation ceremony from Lakewood School of Practical Nursing, August 1982.
MIDDLE: Sister Miriam Joseph plays Scrabble with a group of her Latin students at St. Alphonsus, Dearborn, Michigan, 1959-1960. RIGHT: Sister Miriam Joseph Lekan renews her vows to Sister Marcine Klemm, Chapter Prioress, during her Golden Jubilee celebration in St. Lawrence Chapel, 1992.
LEFT: Members of the 1969 Silver Jubilee Class are: back row, from left, Sisters Agnes Regis Brazell, Christopher Noonan, Joan Patricia O’Reilly, Mary Willard Reagan, and Kevin Maureen Hussey; third row, from left, Sisters Ann Valerie LaKoske, Marie Virginia Snell, Marie Madonna Oliver, Joseph Loretta Lederer, and Mary Arnold Benedetto; second row, from left, Sisters Anne Regina Mullen, Brigetta McDonough (Postulant Mistress), Ann Bernard Goeddeke, Gilmary Foley, Ann de Lourdes Plourde, and Mary Laverne Feeney; and front row, from left, Sisters Miriam Joseph Lekan, Cecilia Marie Brown, Laurence Edward Ferguson (Prioress), Rose Augustine Kiefer, and Patricia Ellen Secor. RIGHT: From left, Sisters Ann Valerie LaKoske, Cecilia Marie Brown, and Miriam Joseph Lekan.
LEFT: Adrian Dominican Sisters from Cleveland were, from left, Sisters Anne Marie Snyder, Rita Anne Moceri, Mary Ann Zakrajsek, Mary Ann Dardy, Miriam Joseph Lekan, and Mary Hrovat. RIGHT: Sister Miriam Joseph Lekan celebrates her 100th birthday with the community in April 2023. Sister Judy Friedel, OP, Chapter Prioress, reads a tribute to her.
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Along the "maze of life" we are blest to encounter individuals of influence who help us follow the course as we encounter various pathway options as we move forward. Sister "MJ" was my first crush!! She was so tall and I was so little! I arrived a day late for 1st grade and grabbed a seat in the center aisle. What I didn't realize was that seats had been assigned on day one. When the fellow arrived who was assigned to the seat, she simply and kindly redirected him to an open seat nearby. I credit my 43 year career as educator and administrator to her inspiration, modeling, and strong encouragement. Given her name, Sister Miriam Joseph, I recall that we headed our assignments "JMJ" (Jesus, Mary and Joseph). Not knowing any better, I assumed that she was "this close" to Jesus because of her name. At the same time, I also thought the "OP" after her name stood for "Oak Park." Sister "MJ" was youthful, and much like a big sister that I never had. She taught us in 1st AND 2nd grades, but I never forgot her kindness, ability to handle the all-male military school crowd, and the morning milk breaks we had with milk in small glass bottles. She knew that I coveted chocolate milk. There were some humorous exchanges between my parents and Sister "MJ", though not always humorous at the outset. Fast forward to 2000 where my wife and I were privileged to sit next to Sister at a Bishop Quarter all-class reunion in Niles, Il. We renewed our friendship and laughed over shared stories with other alums. Since that time, "MJ" and I talked on almost every holiday—or more frequently. We exchanged letters. I did tell her, per her biography video, that I would visit her in Adrian, and we met there one day several years ago. In a photo taken on that occasion, I towered over her——that nun whom I thought was so tall. "MJ" grabbed her walker and whisked me around the Center on a tour pointing out various spots, and especially the outdoor garden where she liked to catch a breath of fresh air in nice weather following meals. Sister was my last human connection to our family life in Oak Park. Dad past away during 4th grade, and we moved at the end of my 6th grade after my next-oldest brother graduated from Fenwick High School. My adjustment to a new "coed" school without the military feature was not an easy transition. I missed Bishop Quarter, Oak Park, and especially "MJ". I was grateful in 2000 to thank her for teaching me to read, spell, and be curious in learning. She is certainly a heroine in my life. May Sister Miriam Joseph rest in eternal peace in the company of the Lord. My regret at the moment is not being aware that Sister Passed away so that I might have been able to attend her funeral. My condolences to her entire families. Sister Nancy Murray, OP shared the news in person with me earlier today. We have lost a gift from God in the form of a terrific, caring and positive human being. Thank you, Good Lord, for allowing me to cross paths with Sister Miriam Joseph, OPAttention:Saluting Sister Miriam Joseph,At ease…..Cadet Patrick H. MoorheadDeerfield, Il 60015
Sister Miriam Joseph (Aunt Jo) has always been an inspiration to our family. She will be greatly missed.
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