In Memoriam


Sister Mary Catherine Gagliano, OP(1938-2023)

Sister Mary Catherine Gagliano, formerly known as Sister Ann Virginia, died on Monday, November 27, 2023, at the Dominican Life Center in Adrian, Michigan. She was 85 years of age and in the 66th year of her religious profession in the Adrian Dominican Congregation.

Sister Mary Catherine was born in Rockford, Illinois, to Alex and Genevieve (Christian) Gagliano. She graduated from Bishop Muldoon High School in Rockford and obtained a bachelor’s degree in English from Siena Heights College (University) in Adrian; a master’s degree in elementary education from DePaul University in Chicago; and a master’s degree in religious education from St. Meinrad Seminary and School of Theology in St. Meinrad, Indiana.

Sister Mary Catherine spent almost 30 years ministering in education in Iron River and Brighton, Michigan; and Chicago, Calumet City, Elmwood Park, River Forest, River Grove and La Grange Park, Illinois, including serving as an English as a Second Language (ESL) tutor at School and Tutors on Wheels. She also assisted at the St. Germaine Parish Food Pantry in Oak Lawn, Illinois. 

Sister Mary Catherine ministered for nine years as pastoral care/religious education coordinator in De Kalb, Illinois, and one year as a director for evangelization in Aurora, Illinois. She also served as campus minister for three years at the College of Du Page in Glen Ellyn, and later for six years at Joliet Junior College Romeoville Campus in Romeoville, both in Illinois. She served the Congregation in vocation outreach for two years while serving the Chicago Archdiocese as a writer. She ministered for one year for the St. Germaine Food Pantry. 

Sister became a resident of the Dominican Life Center in 2020. She was preceded in death by her parents and her sister, Bridget Dangelo. She is survived by a brother, Frank Gagliano (Mary Ann) of Rockford, and a sister, Virginia “Ginny” La Marca (Anthony) of Machesney Park, both in Illinois; other loving family members; and her Adrian Dominican Sisters. 

Visitation will be held from 6:30 to 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 29, 2023, in the gathering space of St. Catherine Chapel. The Vigil Prayer will be held at 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, November 29, 2023, in St. Catherine Chapel. A Funeral Mass will be offered in St. Catherine Chapel at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, November 30, 2023. 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.

make a memorial giftMemorial gifts may be made to Adrian Dominican Sisters, 1257 East Siena Heights Drive, Adrian, Michigan, 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 Catherine'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 Mary Catherine'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: Graduation from Bishop Muldoon High School, Rockford, Illinois, 1956; Center: Sister Ann Virginia (Mary Catherine) with her parents, Genevieve and Alex Gagliano, Fall 1956; Right: Sister Ann Virginia as a postulant, Fall 1956.

Left: Sister Ann Virginia (Mary Catherine) as a student after First Profession, 1958; Center: The Gagliano family, from left, Genevieve, mother; Virginia; Sister Ann Virginia (Mary Catherine), Bridget, and Frank; Right: Sister Ann Virginia (Mary Catherine)

Left: Roasting marshmallows in a cabin in the late 1950s or early 1960s are, from left, Sisters Marion Michalak, Mary Patricia Dewey, Mary Catherine Gagliano, and Alfred Irene; Right: Attending a bridal shower in September 1999 are blood sisters, from left, Virginia LaMarca, Bridget Dangelo, and Sister Mary Catherine Gagliano.

Left: Members of the St. Martin de Porres crowd include back row, from left, Sally Ann Fergus, Jean Hughes, Mary Margaret Mannard, Donna Joan Mehney, and Anne Guinan, and front row, from left, Sisters Grace Dougherty, Mary Catherine Gagliano, and Maureen Gallagher; Center: From left, Sisters Mary Catherine Gagliano and Mary Hrovat, summer of 2009; Right: Sister Mary Catherine Gagliano pauses during a retreat in Fanjeaux, France, July 2007.

Sisters Beverly Bobola, left, a chaplain, and Mary Catherine Gagliano, a visitor to St. Rose Dominican Hospitals, Henderson, Nevada, 2009.

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 Martín; and front row, from left, Sisters Pauline Opliger and Sally Ann Fergus.

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


Sister Geraldine Maloney, OP(1937-2023)

Sister Maria Caridad Pinuela, baptized Guillerma Pinuela, died on Monday, November 6, 2023, at the Dominican Life Center in Adrian, Michigan. She was 86 years of age and in the 67th year of her religious profession: 17 years as a Dominican Sister of Molo, Iloilo City, Philippines, and in her 50th year in the Adrian Dominican Congregation.

Sister Maria Caridad was born in Zarraga, Iloilo, Philippines, to Juan and Mercedes (Sendino) Pinuela. She graduated from Sacred Heart Academy in Zarraga and received a bachelor’s degree in history from San Agustin University in Iloilo City and a master’s degree in educational administration from Siena Heights College (University) in Adrian. 

Sister spent three years ministering in education in the Philippines and 10 years at schools in Detroit, Michigan; Douglas, Arizona; Aiea, Hawaii, where she was principal of St. Elizabeth School for seven years; and Oakland, California, all prior to entering the Adrian Dominican Congregation. Her ministries as an Adrian Dominican Sister were in schools in Oakland and Hayward, California. 

Sister Maria Caridad became a resident of the Dominican Life Center in 2002. She was preceded in death by her parents; her sister, Flocerfida Pedroso; and a brother, Wilfredo Pinuela. She is survived by her brother, Rogelio Pinuela of Zarraga, Iloilo, Philippines; other loving family members; and her Adrian Dominican Sisters.  

Visitation will be held from 6:30 to 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 8, 2023, in the gathering space of St. Catherine Chapel. The Vigil Prayer will be held at 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, November 8, 2023, in St. Catherine Chapel. A Funeral Mass will be offered in St. Catherine Chapel at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, November 9, 2023. 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.

make a memorial giftMemorial gifts may be made to Adrian Dominican Sisters, 1257 East Siena Heights Drive, Adrian, Michigan, 49221. Funeral arrangements are being handled by Anderson-Marry Funeral Home, Adrian.

Sister's Memorial Card (PDF)

 

Vigil and Funeral Recordings

Recording of Sister Maria Caridad's Vigil Service - After clicking the link, you can also 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 Maria Caridad's Funeral Mass - After clicking the link, you can also download the recording by clicking on the three dots at the bottom right corner of the screen and choosing "Download." Worship Aid (PDF)

 

Left: Sister Maria Caridad, then Guillerma, far left, takes part in a folk dance performance at Sacred Heart Academy in the Philippines, 1954; Center: Maria Caridad; Right: Members of Sister Maria Caridad Pinuela’s family are, back row, from left, brothers Rogelio and Willie and sister Flocer, and front row, Mercedes, mother, and Sister Maria Caridad.

Left: Sister Maria Caridad; Center: From left, Sisters Marguerite O’Callaghan, Maria Caridad Pinuela, and Evelyn Montez; Right: Sister Maria Caridad arrives for a mission group weekend in the early 1980s.

Left: Members of the Hesed Mission Group in June 2000 are back row, from left, Sisters Joanne O’Connor, Evelyn Montez, Ellen Mary Ach, and Sharon Beckmann and front row, from left, Sisters Cecilia Nguyen, Maria Caridad Pinuela, and Marion Castelluccio; Right: Sister Maria Caridad Pinuela in the Maria Dining Room at the Motherhouse

Members of the 2016 Diamond Jubilee Crowd are: back row, from left, Sisters Claudia Morgan, Mina Riggs, Rosalie Bulanda, and Joanne McCauley; third row, from left, Sisters Marilee Ewing, Joan Christie, Ann Marie Petri, Hilda Nadine Sheehan, Attracta Kelly (Prioress), Janet Capone, Ann Englert, Annette Desloover and Mary Irene Walker; second row, from left, Sisters Helen Essa, Dorothy Berg, Rosaire McAuliffe, Joanne Spisz, and Ruth Adamites; and front row, from left, Sisters Denise Devitt, Mary Kathleen O’Neill, and Maria Caridad Pinuela.

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


Sister Geraldine Maloney, OP(1934-2023)

Sister Marlene Kuhnlein, formerly known as Sister Anthony Irene, died on Saturday, October 28, 2023, at the Dominican Life Center in Adrian, Michigan. She was 89 years of age and in the 72nd year of her religious profession in the Adrian Dominican Congregation.

Sister Marlene was born in Chicago to Anthony and Irene (Lowen) Kuhnlein. She graduated from St. Joseph Academy in Adrian and received a bachelor’s degree in Latin from Siena Heights College (University) in Adrian, a master’s degree in education from DePaul University in Chicago, and a Master of Social Work degree in clinical social work from Barry College (University) in Miami Shores, Florida.

Sister ministered in education for 22 years in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, and in Oak Lawn, Riverdale, Chicago, Maywood, and Wilmette, Illinois. This includes two years of teaching at Regina Dominican High School, a legacy institution of the Congregation in Wilmette. She ministered as a staff member at St. Vincent Home in Miami, Florida, for four years and as a case worker/social worker at Catholic Charities in Jacksonville, Florida, for seven years. 

Sister Marlene served the Congregation as secretary for the Southwest Chapter Office from 1989 to 1993 in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and Mesa, Arizona. She also worked as a pastoral counselor, social worker, and bereavement companion for Community Hospice and FHP Hospice in Phoenix for five years and as secretary for the Diocese of Phoenix for more than a year. 

Sister became a resident of the Dominican Life Center in Adrian in 2009. She was preceded in death by her parents; her stepfather, Theodore Hoffman; and a stepbrother, Theodore Hoffman, Jr. She is survived by other loving family members and her Adrian Dominican Sisters.

Visitation will be held from 6:30 to 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, November 2, 2023, in the gathering space of St. Catherine Chapel. The Vigil Prayer will be held at 7:00 p.m. Thursday, November 2, 2023, in St. Catherine Chapel. A Funeral Mass will be offered in St. Catherine Chapel at 10:30 a.m. Friday, November 3, 2023. 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.

make a memorial giftMemorial gifts may be made to Adrian Dominican Sisters, 1257 East Siena Heights Drive, Adrian, Michigan, 49221. Funeral arrangements are being handled by Anderson-Marry Funeral Home, Adrian.

Sister's Memorial Card (PDF)

 

Vigil and Funeral Recordings

Recording of Sister Marlene'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 Marlene'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: Baby Marlene, 1934: Left Center: Marlene at the age of five in the peonies in front of her grandparents’ house; Right Center: Marlene Kuhnlein; Right: Marlene Kuhnlein stands with her mother Irene and her stepfather Theodore Hoffman on her graduation from Ascension School in Harvey, Illinois.

Left: Marlene Kuhnlein; Left Center: Sister Anthony Arlene (Marlene); Right Center: Sister Anthony Arlene (Marlene) in her classroom in Riverdale, Illinois, 1960s; Right: Sisters Marlene Kuhnlein, left, and Maria Goretti Browne

Left: Sisters serving together in Albuquerque, New Mexico, 2005-2009, were, from left, Sisters Marlene Kuhnlein, Geneal Kramer, Ann Rozalia Szabo, Marie Luisa Vasquez, Mary Daria Herbella, and Pauline Richter; Center: Sisters Marlene Kuhnlein, left, and Beverly Bobola at the Chapter Assembly in San Jose, California, October 2005; Right: Sister Marlene Kuhnlein poses in the St. Catherine of Siena Library, August 2016.

Members of the 2010 Diamond Jubilee December Reception Crowd are: back row, from left, Sisters Kieran Therese Quirke, Mary White, Ann Rozalia Szabo, Shirley Smith, Jeannine Therese McGorray, Geraldine Maloney, and Sean Morley; middle row, from left, Sisters Rita Crotty, Lucy Ann Quinn, Loretta May, Noreen Burke, Genevieve Jeziolkowski, Marlene Kuhnlein, and Janet Michael Hudspeth; and front row, from left, Sisters Lila Watt, Carol Denise Koenig, Virginia Beattie, Maria Goretti Browne, Ellen Kennedy, Joseph Eilese Hukle, and Donna Markham (Prioress).

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


Sister Geraldine Maloney, OP(1928-2023)

Mary, the world is a better place because you graced it with your presence as a woman of faith who was committed to education as a path to peace and justice among all people.

Sister Rosemary Asaro, the Holy Rosary Chapter assistant, was speaking of Sister Mary Beaubien, for whose wake Sister Rosemary was preaching the eulogy and from whose autobiography Sister Rosemary had just read aloud this sentence: “Education is the means by which peace and justice are effectively accomplished.”

Mary Josephine was the third of five surviving children born to Oliver and Clara (Sierin) Beaubien, following Cecelia and Joseph and before Margaret and Robert. Oliver and Clara’s first child, a boy, died at just four days old.

Oliver was born in Monroe County, Michigan, while Clara was born in Paulding County, Ohio. The two met because Clara came to work for Oliver’s mother, a widow after the Beaubien family moved to Paulding County. Oliver was twenty-nine, and Clara was nineteen.

The couple farmed a tract of land in Paulding County. Early on in their marriage, they took in three children whose parents had died or could not care for them, and so their oldest daughter, Cecelia, was born with a ready-made group of brothers.

Read more about Sister Mary (PDF).

 

make a memorial giftMemorial gifts may be made to Adrian Dominican Sisters, 1257 East Siena Heights Drive, Adrian, Michigan, 49221. 

 

Sister's Memorial Card (PDF)

 

Vigil and Funeral Recordings

Recording of Sister Mary'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 Mary'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)

 

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


Cemetery of the Adrian Dominican Sisters

Our Adrian Dominican cemetery with its circular headstones is a beautiful place of rest for women who gave their lives in service to God — and a peaceful place for contemplation and remembrance. 


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