(1939-2025)

Sister Rosalie Esquerra, formerly known as Sister Maria Antonia Esquerra, died on Wednesday, August 13, 2025, at the Dominican Life Center in Adrian. She was 86 years of age and in the 69th year of her religious profession in the Adrian Dominican Congregation.

Sister Rosalie was born in Kingman, Arizona, to Raymond and Eva (Torres) Esquerra. She graduated from St. Joseph Academy in Adrian, Michigan, and obtained a bachelor’s degree in Spanish from Siena Heights College (University) in Adrian and a master’s degree in elementary education from the University of Arizona in Tucson.

Sister Rosalie ministered 17 years in education in Detroit, Michigan; Douglas and Winslow, Arizona; and Las Vegas, Nevada. This included one year as principal at Our Lady of Las Vegas and two years as education specialist at the Latin American Pastoral Center in Detroit. She then served for 12 years as associate director for Focus Life, Inc. in Detroit. Focus Life was renamed Life Directions in 1987.

Sister Rosalie served in many ministerial roles for Life Directions from 1987 on: three years as associate director, one year as formation director, four years as the CEO, and nine years as the director of training, all in Detroit. She also served Life Directions in Chicago for over two years as project director and in Tucson, Arizona, for 10 years as director and one year as an administrator. Sister became a resident of the Dominican Life Center in 2021.

Sister Rosalie was preceded in death by her parents and siblings Roger, Raymond, Richard, Mary Louise, and Regina Lozoya. She is survived by siblings Robert, Roland, Rebecca, Randolph and Ronald Esquerra and Rachel Stapleton, other loving family members; and her Adrian Dominican Sisters.

Visitation will be held from 6:30 to 7:00 p.m. on Monday, August 18, 2025, in the gathering space of St. Catherine Chapel. The Vigil Prayer will be held at 7:00 p.m. Monday, August 18, 2025, in St. Catherine Chapel. A Funeral Mass will be offered in St. Catherine Chapel at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, August 19, 2025. Prayers of Committal will be held in the Congregation Cemetery.

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

Note: To view recordings with closed captioning, they must be viewed on our public video library rather than through the links below.

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

LEFT: Rosalie at the age of 4. MIDDLE LEFT: Sister Rosalie at St. Mary, Kingman, Arizona. MIDDLE RIGHT: As a postulant, December 25, 1955. RIGHT: Sister Rosalie adds music to her ministry as a teacher at St. Joseph, Winslow, Arizona, 1968-1971.

MIDDLE: Sister Rosalie Esquerra in her ministry as Associate Director of Focus Life, Detroit, 1976-1988. RIGHT: Sister Rosalie celebrates during a Eucharistic liturgy.

LEFT: From left, Sisters Rosalie Esquerra, Noella Maria McLeod, and Barbara Ann Long. RIGHT: Sister Rosalie with her parents, Raymond and Eva.

LEFT: Sister Rosalie enjoys some travel time. RIGHT: Members of the 2015 Diamond Jubilee December Crowd are back row, from left, Sisters Rosalie Esquerra, Kathleen Waters, Norine Burns, Molly Nicholson, Sheila Delaney, and Nancyann Turner; third row, from left, Sisters Leontia Cooney, Barbara Ann Long, Margaret Manners, Mary Kastens, and Joan Leo Kehn; second row, from left, Sisters Mary Hemmen, Anneliese Sinnott, Joan Mary, Jo Ann Lucas, and Elizabeth Gibbons; and front row, from left, Sisters Esther Ortega, Marilyn Uline, Arlene Seckel, Ann Ziemba, and Jovanna Stein.

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