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(1930-2024)
Sister Shirley Boettcher, formerly known as Sister Elaine Therese Boettcher, died on Thursday, December 12, 2024, at the Dominican Life Center in Adrian. She was 94 years of age and in the 77th year of her religious profession in the Adrian Dominican Congregation.
Sister was born in Detroit to Edward and Edna (Wagner) Boettcher. She graduated from St. Joseph Academy in Adrian and received a bachelor’s degree in home economics from Siena Heights College (University) in Adrian. Sister was also certified as a licensed practical nurse by the Michigan Board of Nursing and by the Florida Board of Nursing.
Sister Shirley ministered in elementary education for 16 years in Port Huron, Romeo, and Detroit, Michigan; Van Wert, Ohio; Chicago and Oak Park, Illinois; and Cheektowaga, New York. She served four years in domestic services in Plymouth and Adrian, Michigan; and Des Moines, Iowa. Sister also ministered to the sick for 22 years as a licensed practical nurse in Adrian, Michigan, and in Miami Beach, Sebring, and Lake Placid, Florida.
Sister Shirley became a resident of the Dominican Life Center in Adrian in 2017. She is predeceased by her parents and two sisters, Phyllis Wesley and Donna Moll. Sister is survived by a sister, Elaine Marcotte; other loving family members; and her Adrian Dominican Sisters.
Visitation will be from 6:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Monday, December 16, 2024, in the gathering space of St. Catherine Chapel. The Vigil Prayer will be at 7:00 p.m. Monday, December 16, 2024, in St. Catherine Chapel. A Funeral Mass will be offered in St. Catherine Chapel at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, December 17, 2024. Prayers of Committal will be held in the Congregation Cemetery.
Those not attending the upcoming 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)
Recording of Sister Shirley'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 Shirley's Funeral Mass - After clicking the link, download the recording by right-clicking on the video choosing "Save video as." Worship Aid (PDF)
LEFT: The Boettcher family in 1941: back row from left, Donna and Shirley, and front row, Elaine, Edna (mother), Phyllis, and Edward (father). MIDDLE: Sister Shirley at her 1969 graduation as a licensed practical nurse.
LEFT: Postulant Shirley Boettcher with her parents, Edward and Edna Boettcher, 1946.
LEFT: Sisters Vincent Joseph Sibal, left, and Shirley Boettcher, 1983. RIGHT: Standing, from left, Sisters Francis Elizabeth McDonnell, Grace Flowers, Helene Dompierre, Margaret Exworthy, Mary Jean Clemenger, and Paul Emilia Brown, and front row, from left, Evangelina Davis and Shirley Boettcher.
Members of the 2007 Diamond Jubilee Crowd are: back row, from left, Sisters Charlotte Hoefer, Marie Damian Schoenlein, JoAnn Fleischaker, Shirley A. Boettcher, Patrice Eilers, Jeanne Burns, Sarah Cavanaugh, and Mary Cecile Quirke; third row, from left, Sisters Anne Worcester, Elizabeth Condon, Margaret Lane, Jean Kathleen Comiskey, Imelda Marie Eckhoff, Paul Emelia Brown, Eileen Meyers, and Elizabeth Williams; second row, from left, Sisters Marcine Klemm, Catherine Podvin, Shirley Mary Hymes, Shirley Thielk, Margaret Ann Swallow, Alice Anne Van Acker, Noreen O’Connell, and Helene Dompierre; and front row, from left, Jacquelyn Murray, Theresa Nightingale, Janet Persyk, Mary Saynay, Kathleen Therese McCann, M. Joan Loeffler, and Donna Markham (Prioress).
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Sr. Shirley befriended us in Sebring, FL. Her main concern was our growing in our faith and in thr love of God! We were new at homeschooling and she encouraged us along, from the eldest to the youngest , 4 yrs old with Down’s Syndrome. She was joyful, kind and fun, always smiling and filled with the Holy Spirit. We will never forget Sr. Shirley! May God reward her for all she did for others, especially for our family!
I am a grandson of “Aunt Shir’s” sister Phyllis. In 1990, after some challenges in my family, when I was 14 years old, Aunt Shir became my favorite “pen pal”. She sent me letters and books to read. I know she was praying for me. For the last 33 years I have been walking with Jesus, and the reason I started is because of Aunt Shir, her prayers, and how she spoke to others (and me) with his love. We continued to write letters every so often throughout my life. I’m so proud of my connection with her, and so happy for her that she is finally now home with her shepherd and teacher. She will be remembered.
God answers prayers in many different way. In 2004, our lives were in turmoil, then God sent us Sister Shirley who provided spiritual and medical guidance which stabilized and made clear the direction we should take. Ever since, Sister has always been there in our time of need.Praise be to God and may Shirley rest in the arms of the Lord forever.
Sister Shirley was a blessing to me during good and bad times. Her compassion and infectious smile were more than enough to get me through anything!!! She was my rock here in Sebring and I will forever remember her in my heart and prayers. I know God hears her so I hope she does the same for me! Rest in the peace of Jesus, my friend. We will meet again in heaven, God willing.
I'll never forget Sr. Shirley. A beautiful, prayerful and loving person. Very concerned about one's soul to help them die in piece with Our Lord. I first met her when she was my roommate on a trip to Lourdes, Fatima and Garanbondol. She taught me a so much and that became the beginning of our many years of long distance friendship. I was able to visit her in Florida and she once was in Texas. May she continue praying for us in heaven.
Sr.Shirley was a lifelong friend of my family, having befriended my mom in their teenage years on Kelly's Island, Ohio.For as long as I can remember, Sr. Shirley was a strong, funny, loving lady and was adopted by our family. I especially enjoyed her challenges to me growing up to get up and go swimming in our pool at 6am and she was always there and ready to go!She will be dearly missed by all who she knew and loved. Rest in peace, Sister Shirley....
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