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(1931-2026)
Sister Elizabeth Lynch, formerly known as Sister John Annette Lynch, died on Sunday, January 4, 2026, at the Dominican Life Center in Adrian, Michigan. She was 94 years of age and in the 74th year of her religious profession in the Adrian Dominican Congregation.
Sister was born in Chicago, Illinois, to Charles and Alice (O’Neil) Lynch. She graduated from St. Casimir High School in Chicago and received a Bachelor of Philosophy degree in History from Siena Heights College (University) in Adrian and a Master of Education degree in Administration from DePaul University in Chicago.
Sister Elizabeth ministered for 53 years in elementary education in Detroit, Jackson, and Albion, Michigan, and in Homewood, Maywood, and Chicago, Illinois. She was principal for six years at St. James School in Maywood and for 30 years at St. Denis School in Chicago. When her ministry as principal ended, Sister served an additional six years at St. Denis Parish as religious education director. She also served the Congregation for two years as secretary for St. Dominic Province, based in Hometown. Sister became a resident of the Dominican Life Center in Adrian in 2017.
Sister Elizabeth was preceded in death by her parents and her brother Patrick. She is survived by loving family members and her Adrian Dominican Sisters.
Visitation will be held from 6:30 to 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 8, 2026, in the gathering space of St. Catherine Chapel. The Vigil Prayer will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 8, 2026, in St. Catherine Chapel. A Funeral Mass will be offered in St. Catherine Chapel at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, January 9, 2026. 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)
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 Elizabeth'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 Elizabeth's Funeral Mass - After clicking the link, download the recording by right-clicking on the video choosing "Save video as." Worship Aid (PDF)
LEFT: Elizabeth and her brother Patrick with their grandparents. MIDDLE LEFT: Sister John Annette serving as principal of St. James School, Maywood, Illinois, 1963-1969. RIGHT: Members of the St. Denis community in Chicago are: back row, from left, Sisters Rita Crotty, Nora Brady, and Norine Burns; and front row, from left, Sisters Thomas James Burns, Elizabeth Lynch, and Joan Lucid.
LEFT: Adrian Dominican school principals gathered at a 1996 Catholic schools meeting in Chicago. They are, standing, from left, Sisters Eileen Morley and Nancy Fischer; Elaine Schuster, Chicago Superintendent of Schools; and Sisters Sean Morley and Kathryn Hartnett; and seated, from left, Sisters Nora O’Brien and Elizabeth Lynch. MIDDLE: From left, Sisters Nora Brady, Joan Donovan, Elizabeth Lynch, and their friend Alice Dukelow. RIGHT: Standing, from left, Sisters Helen Patrick Bartley, Elizabeth Lynch, Norine Burns, Patricia Dolan, and Carolyn Nelson, and seated, from left, Sisters Patricia McCarty and Georgina Luznicky.
Members of the 2011 Diamond Jubilee are: back row, from left, Sisters Attracta Kelly (Prioress), Julianne Wolny, Jeannine Holway, Anne Liam Lees, Judith Ann Lieder, and Agnes Peplinski; middle row, from left, Sisters Elizabeth Lynch, Rita Brunett, Thérèse M. Haggerty, Mary Daria Herbella, Catherine Ahern, and Elisa Joan Doherty; and front row, from left, Sisters Dolores Marie Dolan, Dolores Slosar, Nancy Hanna, Celine Marie Regan, Marian Edward Guethlein, and Clara Ann Budenz.
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(1934-2026)
Sister Reta Drexler, formerly known as Sister Madonna Rose, died on Thursday, January 1, 2026, at the Dominican Life Center in Adrian, Michigan. She was 91 years of age and in the 67th year of her religious profession in the Adrian Dominican Congregation.
Sister Reta was born in Dearborn, Michigan, to William and Rose (Hoorman) Drexler. She graduated from St. Joseph Academy in Adrian and received a bachelor’s degree in social studies from Siena Heights College (University) in Adrian. She was also certified as a spiritual director.
Sister spent 30 years ministering in education in Detroit, Norway, Maybee, Iron Mountain, and Escanaba, Michigan; Defiance, Cincinnati, and Swanton, Ohio; and Melbourne, Florida. She also spent eight years as director of religious education and pastoral minister at St. Jude Parish in Tequesta, Florida, and one year in pastoral ministry at St. Helen Parish in Vero Beach, Florida.
Sister Reta was also a general assistant for a year and a half at Maria Health Care Center in Adrian, an institution of the Adrian Dominican Congregation. Sister became a resident of the Dominican Life Center in 2005.
Sister Reta was preceded in death by her parents; two sisters, Vera Hartman and Florence Wright; and her brothers, Albert, Carl, Donald, and James Drexler. 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 Wednesday, January 7, 2026, in the gathering space of St. Catherine Chapel. The Vigil Prayer will be held at 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, January 7, 2026, in St. Catherine Chapel. A Funeral Mass will be offered in St. Catherine Chapel at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, January 8, 2026. Prayers of Committal will be held in the Congregation Cemetery.
Recording of Sister Reta'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 Reta'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 Drexler siblings, circa 1947, are: back row, from left, Florence, Don, Carl, and Vera, and front row, from left, James, Albert, and Reta. MIDDLE: Siblings Albert and Reta Drexler. RIGHT: Reta at the age of 8, 1942.
LEFT: Reta poses with her horse, Smokey, in Clayton, Michigan, circa 1950. MIDDLE LEFT: Sister Madonna Rose with her parents, Rose and William Drexler, on the day of her Reception into the Novitiate, December 1952.
LEFT: Spending time in Utah are, from left, Sisters Lorraine Sinn, Dorothy Booms, Lorraine Pepin, and Reta Drexler. RIGHT: From left, Sisters Joan Petz, Lorraine Pepin, Lois Mary Rochon, Dorothy Booms, Margaret Richard Pillon, and Reta Drexel.
Members of the 2012 Diamond Jubilarian Crowd are: back row, from left, Sisters Dorothy Booms, Lorraine Pepin, Carolyn Nelson, Reta Drexler, Arlene Marie Kosmatka, Frances Madigan, and Attracta Kelly (Prioress); middle row, from left, Sisters Kathryn Hartnett, Marguerite Renuart, Maureen Keeler, Lorraine Sinn, and Cora Marie Campbell; and front row, from left, Sisters Anne Cenci, Ann Kelly, Joann Weigang, and Magdalena Ezoe.
Sister Marie Rose Bauer, formerly known as Sister Ann Jeanine, died on Thursday, January 1, 2026, at the Dominican Life Center in Adrian, Michigan. She was 91 years of age and in the 72nd year of her religious profession in the Adrian Dominican Congregation.
Sister was born in Port Huron, Michigan, to John F. and Marie Rose (Kern) Bauer. She graduated from St. Stephen High School in Port Huron and received a bachelor’s degree in history from Siena Heights College (University) in Adrian.
Sister ministered for more than 29 years in elementary education in Detroit and Port Huron, Michigan, giving 23 years of service to St. Joseph Parish in Port Huron. She also ministered for 10 years in education in Chicago. She became a resident of the Dominican Life Center in 1998.
Sister Marie Rose was preceded in death by her parents; her sister, Elizabeth Flynn; and two brothers, John Jr. and Robert. Sister is survived by a brother, Joe Bauer (Betsy), other loving family members, and her Adrian Dominican Sisters.
Visitation will be held from 6:30 to 7:00 pm on Monday, January 12, 2026, in the gathering space of St. Catherine Chapel. The Vigil Prayer will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, January 12, 2026, in St. Catherine Chapel. A Funeral Mass will be offered in St. Catherine Chapel at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, January 13, 2026. Prayers of Committal will be held in the Congregation Cemetery.
Recording of Sister Marie Rose'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 Marie Rose's Funeral Mass - After clicking the link, download the recording by right-clicking on the video choosing "Save video as." Worship Aid (PDF)
LEFT: Marie Rose at 8 months. MIDDLE LEFT: Marie Rose in fourth grade. MIDDLE RIGHT: The Bauer family, back row, from left, Marie Rose (mother), Liz, Marie Rose, John (father), and John (brother); Bob, middle; and Joe, front, 1953.
LEFT: Sister Ann Jeanine Bauer, right, with Sister Helen Joseph Kosal on a home visit. MIDDLE: Sister Marie Rose takes some time to enjoy crocheting. RIGHT: Sisters Marie Rose Bauer, left, and Catherine Innes.
LEFT: Sister Marie Rose with, from left, her grand niece Lisa, her niece Anne Marie Lam, and her grand niece Holly. RIGHT: Sisters Beverly Bobola, left, and Marie Rose Bauer, August 22, 2013.
Members of the 2013 Diamond Jubilee December Reception Crowd are: back row, from left, Sisters Joan Schroeder, Margaret Ann Roggenbuck, Marie Rose Bauer, Attracta Kelly (Prioress), Dorothy Guettler, Janet Wright, and Carol Fleming; middle row, from left, Sisters Margaret Marie Ringel, Frances Wetzel, Janice Scholl, Patricia Ann McKee, Patricia Sporer, Pauline Richter, and Barbara Chenicek; and front row, from left, Sisters Joan Mary Dwyer, Josephine Gaugier, Margarita Rúiz, Mary Vianne Bayus, Lorraine Brennan, Mary E. Waldron, and Mary Cullen.
(1936-2025)
For many months I have been reflecting on the task of writing this autobiography. Over and over it has come to me that the overwhelming influence in my life is that of a generous God, one who has always provided for me and for my family and has allowed me to be generous in many ways.
Sister Chris Matthews began her autobiography with these sentences, and that thread of God’s generosity was woven throughout the pages that followed.
Christine Marie Matthews was born on December 11, 1936, in Grosse Pointe, Michigan, to James and Grace (Austin) Matthews. She was the second youngest of the couple’s five surviving children – two others died at birth – coming after Mary, Grace, and Janet and before Michael.
James was born on a farm in Hastings, Michigan, to a father who insisted that his boys work hard on the farm, to the point of having their education interrupted during planting and harvest time. When the farm failed, James’ father left the family, and so the children and their mother moved to Detroit. James went on to become a foreman at Ainsworth Manufacturing.
As for Grace, she was a fourth-generation Detroiter who grew up in a family that was very poor but was able to have fun nevertheless. A highlight was when the eldest Austin girl, Annie, would come home on payday with the latest song on sheet music and the family would sing as she played the piano. Although Grace’s family was too poor to even have a Christmas tree, when the neighbors discarded their tree after the holiday the Austin children would bring it into their house and decorate it.
When James and Grace met, James thought she was “the prettiest, peppiest girl he had ever known,” Sister Chris wrote. But after their first date, Grace told Jim it was not a good idea for them to go out since he was not Catholic. He immediately told her he would become Catholic, and soon thereafter began taking instruction in the faith.
As the couple raised their family, they were considered strict on many accounts, but “there was much fun and laughter in the house,” Sister Chris wrote. Holidays were full of relatives and good food, evening homework was often followed by a spirited card game, and the family spent summers at Torch Lake with plenty of fishing and swimming.
Read more about Sister Christine (PDF)
Memorial gifts may be made to Adrian Dominican Sisters, 1257 East Siena Heights Drive, Adrian, MI, 49221.
Recording of Sister Christine'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 Christine's Funeral Mass - After clicking the link, download the recording by right-clicking on the video choosing "Save video as." Worship Aid (PDF)
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