Sister Florence Marie Viaches
1930-2011

 In her autobiography, Sister Florence Marie Viaches, OP, stated emphatically that she was not a person who was introspective. “I was born, I lived, then I died. What else is there to know?”

I don’t agonize over the whys and wherefores of situations, but rather determine what needs to be done and just go ahead and do it. I see this attitude as a legacy from my maternal grandmother Florence, for whom I am named. Although some are mystified or puzzled by this outlook on life, it has suited me just fine. And, after all, it’s the outlook God gave me, so who am I to question it?

Her maternal grandmother, Florence Bateman, was from Ireland. She married a Scottish man named Donald Donald. Sister wrote, “It strikes me that his Scottish parents didn’t have a lot of imagination.” Kathleen (who became Sister Florence’s mother) was born in England. Donald Donald joined the British army during World War I, and was killed in France. His wife joined the army, met and married Joseph Fillion, a French-Canadian soldier, and immigrated to Quebec, Canada, with him. Kathleen was eleven years old at the time. A few years later the family moved to Detroit, and then to Lansing, Michigan, where they spent the rest of their lives.

In Lansing, Kathleen Donald, an only child, met and married Napolean Joseph Viaches, one of twelve children. Their first child was born on August 14, 1930, and named Florence Marie for both her grandmothers. Both parents were working, Napolean for General Motors and Kathleen at the A & P Grocery Store; so Grandmother Florence cared for her small grandchild and exerted great influence in her life. One of Sister’s happy memories was of going to Resurrection Church, “a basement church,” with her grandmother for Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. Her parents were not practicing Catholics, but her grandmother was very faithful to the Church. Another of her happy memories was singing on the Uncle Howdy Radio Show at the age of five. She loved to sing. She sang with a group, and she sang solos. But her happiest memory was the birth of her “precious” brother Donald. “How I loved him!”

Shortly after Donald’s birth, Florence began her education in a public school. She wrote that she had no outstanding memories from her elementary years, except her interest in science. Her grandmother insisted that she attend Resurrection High School, and offered to pay the tuition herself, $1.00 per month. She also saw that her granddaughter attended catechism classes, made her First Communion, and was confirmed. The young Florence met and admired the Adrian Dominican Sisters at Resurrection High School, and graduated in 1948.

Her pastor at Resurrection arranged a scholarship for her at Siena Heights College (now University) in Adrian, and she spent a happy year there. It was there that she met Sister Miriam Michael Stimson, who was another great influence in her life. She made her decision to enter the Congregation at the end of that first year; and, although her mother and brother were devastated by her decision, her parents accompanied her to Adrian on September 8, 1949, when she entered the postulate. Sister Miriam Michael was her sponsor.

She had no teaching experience, and to her surprise at the end of December she was sent to St. Dominic in Detroit to teach third grade. She arrived there on New Year’s Eve and stayed until June, with a successful semester of teaching under her belt. On August 8, 1950, she and her group received the habit and their religious names. From that time until the 1970s, she was known as Sister John Francis. She wrote that during her novitiate Sister Miriam Michael was frequently there. “She spoke to me the way God spoke to me, not always with words but with a strong, loving presence that called to me in silence.” On August 9, 1951, Sister Florence professed her first vows.

Within a short time she was on her way to Chicago, where she taught first grade at St. Rita School for three years. In 1954 she was transferred to Queen of Angels, also in Chicago, and assigned to teach kindergarten. Four years later, she spent another year at St. Rita, again in first grade. In 1957, as a result of summer study, Siena Heights College awarded her a bachelor’s degree with a major in biology and minors in German and history.

Beginning with 1959, she spent two years in New Mexico, at Sacred Heart School in Albuquerque. She wrote, “As the license plate claims, perhaps New Mexico truly is ‘the land of enchantment.’” While there, she had a visit from Dr. Donita Sullivan, who had been a classmate at Siena Heights College and whom Sister Miriam Michael had sent to visit her. Sister Florence and Donita renewed their friendship and became strong friends.

In 1961, Sister Florence was brought back to Michigan as a first grade teacher at Queen of the Miraculous Medal School in Jackson. Two years later she was assigned as a second grade teacher at St. Scholastica School in Detroit. It was there that she and Sister Helen Dompierre began their years of friendship. In 1968 Sister Florence was sent to St. Pius in Southgate, as assistant principal and teacher of second grade. In 1969, as a result of summer study, Siena Heights College awarded her a master’s degree in administration and supervision. Her assignment to St. Pius was the last assignment that she received. Vatican II brought many changes, and finding one’s own ministry was one of them.

In 1972, the principal of St. Anastasia School in Fort Pierce, Florida, suggested that she and Sister Helen move to Florida and take positions there. Both Sisters taught at St. Anastasia, and Sister Florence not only taught first grade but also served as assistant principal for eight years. She wrote that her parents moved to Fort Pierce, and she was able to see them frequently. She was thankful for this, as her father died in 1978. At the wake, Donald Sullivan, Dr. Donita’s nephew, said, “Pretty much every year, my family and Donita would stay at the Holiday Inn on the beach there.” There Sister Florence and Donita continued their friendship.

Sister Florence wrote, “In 1980 I was tired. I had been teaching little ones for more than thirty years.” She felt the need for a different ministry. After much consideration, she decided to try pastoral care. Dr. Donita, who was on the faculty of the University of Michigan Medical School in Ann Arbor, helped her to enroll at the pastoral care program there. While she was studying, she lived with Donita. She wrote that she found the program “very fulfilling” at first. But then she realized that she could deal with the sick, but not with the dying.

I learned that even though we all face death and loss, we all do it differently. Perhaps my practical nature got in the way. I felt that I could never find the right words others needed to lessen their pain, fear, and grief. Words have never been my forte. Like my grandmother, for whom I was named, I was a doer, not a facilitator.

At the end of the first year, she made a very difficult decision. She left the program. After a time of indecision, she became an office worker at the University Hospital. She wrote:

I kept a candy jar on my desk and there was always a steady stream of house officers, doctors, medical students, and fellow staff members stopping by. Everyone knew that I was a Dominican sister, and, as my friend Donita has pointed out to me, many of my visitors came for more than candy in my candy jar. People having bad days, people having good days, people wanting to share happy stories, sad stories, stories about struggles in their careers and life in general. I always thought they came for candy and a little visit, but Donita has reminded me that God can also be practical; that He cares for each of us in many ways, and perhaps He put me behind that desk for reasons I didn’t recognize at the time.

Sister Florence held this position for thirteen years. She retired in 1995, mourned the death of her mother in 1999, and lived in Ann Arbor until 2010. But, as Donald Sullivan told those assembled at Sister Florence’s wake, “She was a very big part of my family, the Sullivans, for thirty-five years. …She did not miss a single family gathering, be it Christmas, Thanksgiving, or Easter.”

She returned to Adrian in 2010, where she died on September 20, 2011, at the age of eighty-one.

A wake-remembrance service was held for Sister Florence in St. Catherine Chapel on September 22. Sister Mary Ellen Youngblood, Prioress of Adrian Crossroads Chapter, extended sympathy and welcomed those who had assembled. She summarized Sister Florence’s life and ministry, and spoke of her last days.

For sixteen months she dealt with her declining health and vision. She was loved by the care staff, even in her most difficult moments. . . . She was a woman of multiple talents: sewing, cross-stitch, crochet, art, needlepoint. I asked Donita how Florence came to possess a number of Avon products. It seems that she found a method of teaching single mothers a means of earning money by selling Avon products. I’m sure that the Avon representatives were delighted. How creative!

Sister Peg Albert, President of Siena Heights University, spoke of her experience.

I spent many years working in Florida when she was down there. I didn’t get to meet her. But I went to visit Donita one day, and there was Sister Florence. I discovered that she was very straightforward, had a good sense of humor—no gameplaying. I always looked forward to visiting with the two of them. I loved her stories about their escapades at Siena when they were students here. Florence felt drawn to enter the community and she did that, but her relationship with Donita never ended but was reinforced. God was present with them. Siena meant a lot to Florence. The most meaningful thing I can say is that she was faithful to the community and lived her mission, but she was also faithful to Siena. She was one of our best alumnae.

Sister Helen Dompierre sent a message.

Sister Florence was a dear friend. I made her acquaintance when I was assigned to St. Scholastica School in Detroit. She was funny, smart, and loved to sing. Her recall of the lyrics to show tunes simply amazed me. Many times we walked and sang while going around the neighborhoods.

In 1971 we lived together in Southgate for a year before heading to Fort Pierce, Florida, to minister at St. Anastasia School. No matter where we lived, being around Sister Florence was lots of fun. She returned to Michigan in 1980 to pursue a different ministry. Over the years, we have kept in touch. I shall miss her, but I know that she is in a better place.

Donald Sullivan, Dr. Donita Sullivan’s nephew, spoke eloquently and emotionally. Among his remarks were:

Many of you know that Sister Florence, or FLO as we affectionately called her, was a very big part of my family, the Sullivans. I am proud to be able to speak on behalf of my Aunt and Godmother, Dr. Donita Sullivan, and our family. I will always remember Sister Florence for her warmth and oftentimes pithy sense of humor. Donita, many years ago, gave her the nickname of “Funny Face” in honor of that adorable and comical perspective of life.

I first met Sister Florence when I was just seven years old, when she was teaching first grade at St. Anastasia in Fort Pierce, Florida. … I had my First Communion at St. Anastasia when I was in fourth grade…. It was not too long after that that Sister Florence moved back to Michigan and took up residence with Aunt Donita in Ann Arbor. I know she loved the excitement of being around all the college students, faculty, and the staff in the Pediatrics Department.

I know many of you have seen me here with my two little girls to visit Sister Florence over the past couple of years, and I want all of you to know that every single visit was enjoyable and delightful for all of us, and we thank you very much. Not a single night has gone by in my daughters’ lives that our nightly prayers did not specifically include Sister Florence’s name. I don’t see that changing anytime soon.

Sister Florence’s funeral liturgy took place on September 23. Father Robert Kelly, OP, Chaplain of the Motherhouse, was the presider and homilist. She was then laid to rest in the cemetery planned in circles by Mother Camilla Madden so many years ago.

She finished her autobiography by writing, “God has given me many full, happy, and rich years and I have learned that my greatest achievement in this mortal life is belonging to Him.”