(1938-2026)

Sister Ann Marie Davidson Wood died on Saturday, March 7, 2026, at her home. She was 88 years of age and in the 41st year of her religious profession: 18 years in the Dominican Sisters of Edmonds, Washington, and in her 23rd year in the Adrian Dominican Congregation after the Edmonds and Adrian congregations merged in 2003.

Sister Ann Marie was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, to Paul W. and Lucille (Zitzmann) Davidson. She graduated from Dominican High School in New Orleans and obtained an associate's degree in nursing from Shoreline Community College; a bachelor's degree in psychology and women’s studies from the University of Washington; a master’s degree in pastoral ministry from Seattle University; and a Doctorate in pastoral counseling from Graduate Theological Foundation in Donaldson, Indiana.

Before entering religious life, Ann Marie was married and raised four sons. She worked for 15 years as an operating room nurse at Harborview and other hospitals in Seattle, while also pursuing studies, and later managed a dental office for several years.

Following profession, Sister Ann Marie served for five years as Director of Chaplaincy Services at Children’s Hospital Stanford in Palo Alto, California; two years as an oncology chaplain at Good Samaritan Hospital in Puyallup, Washington; and five years as Director of Pastoral Care at Children’s Hospital and Medical Center in Seattle. She also ministered for four years as a spiritual director and 12 years in spirituality/nature ministry in Mountlake, Washington.

Sister was preceded in death by her parents and stepmother, Hildegard. She is survived by her four sons: Daniel, David, Glen (Catherine), and Scott; her grandchildren, Madison Wood and Harlin Wood (Anna); her foster sister, J. Patricia Dannahy Reidy; other loving family members; and her Adrian Dominican Sisters.

A Memorial service will be held at Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church, 8900 35th Avenue, Seattle, Washington, on Saturday, March 28, 2026, at 11:00 a.m., followed by a brief reception. After the reception, burial will take place at Calvary Cemetery, 5041 35th Avenue NE, Seattle. A Memorial Mass will be held in Adrian in St. Catherine Chapel 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, April 15, 2026.

Memorial gifts may be made to Adrian Dominican Sisters, 1257 East Siena Heights Drive, Adrian, MI, 49221. Funeral arrangements are being handled by Beck’s Tribute Center, Edmonds, Washington.

Sister's Memorial Card (PDF)

 

Memorial Mass Recording

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

Recording of Sister Ann Marie's Memorial Mass - After clicking the link, download the recording by right-clicking on the video choosing "Save video as."

 

LEFT: Ann Marie with her mother, Lucile Zitzmann Davidson,1938. CENTER: Ann Marie Davidson, Mercy School of Nursing, 1957. RIGHT: Ann Marie, right, celebrates with colleagues her studies at Oxford University, England.

LEFT: Sister Ann Marie with fellow birders, Washington State. RIGHT: Sister Ann Marie with her sons and their families, 2023.

LEFT: Sister Ann Marie Wood explores Alaska and its glaciers. CENTER: Members of the Alvida Mission Group are: back row, from left, Sisters Carolyn Roeber and Mary Ellen Leciejewski and front row, from left, Sisters Mary Soher, Corinne Florek, Janice Holkup, Marian Castelluccio, Nancy Jurecki, and Ann Marie Wood. RIGHT: Sister Ann Marie looks through one of her bird guides.

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(1933-2026)

Sister Mary Alan Stuart, baptized Rita Jean Stuart, died on Thursday, February 19, 2026, at the Dominican Life Center in Adrian, Michigan. She was 92 years of age and in the 71st year of her religious profession in the Adrian Dominican Congregation.

Sister Mary Alan was born in Chicago to Arthur and Cecilia (Studer) Stuart. She graduated from St. Ambrose High School in Grosse Pointe Park, Michigan, and received a bachelor’s degree in biology and a master’s degree in mixed science, both from Siena Heights College (University) in Adrian, and a doctorate in human nutrition from Purdue University in Lafayette, Indiana.

Sister Mary Alan ministered for 27 years in education in Chicago, Illinois; Fort Walton Beach, Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, and Tampa, Florida; Santurce and Ponce, Puerto Rico; and Santo Domingo and Bonao, Dominican Republic. She was a research fellow for five years at Purdue University; the USDA Human Nutrition Research Center in Grand Forks, North Dakota; and the University of Kentucky Medical Center in Lexington, Kentucky. 

Sister ministered for one year as a senior clinical research associate and for five years as assistant professor and director of dietetics at the University of Kentucky Medical Center, 10 years as an outreach dietitian at St. Joseph Hospital, and six years as a volunteer dietitian and seven years as chairman of the board at the Continuing Care Hospital, all in Lexington. She became a resident of the Dominican Life Center in 2021.

Sister Mary Alan was preceded in death by her parents and siblings, Alan R. Stuart, David Stuart, Ruth Ann Stuart, Louise Irene Stuart, and Christine Buck. She is survived by her brother Paul Stuart (Margaret), other loving family members, and her Adrian Dominican Sisters.

Visitation will be held from 6:30 to 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, February 25, 2026, in the gathering space of St. Catherine Chapel. The Vigil Prayer will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, February 25, 2026, in St. Catherine Chapel. A Funeral Mass will be offered in St. Catherine Chapel at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, February 26, 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)

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

 

LEFT: Rita Jean, 1935. MIDDLE LEFT: Rita Jean, 1939, Windsor, Ontario, Canada. MIDDLE RIGHT: 1951 graduate of St. Ambrose High School, Grosse Pointe Park, Michigan. RIGHT: Sister Mary Alan Stuart at St. Mary Star of the Sea, Chicago, 1952-1957.

LEFT: From left, Connie Weaver, PhD, and Sister Mary Alan Stuart, OP, PhD, graduation from Purdue University, May 15, 1983. RIGHT: The Stuart family gathers in 1979 to celebrate the 50th wedding anniversary of their parents. They are, back row from left, David, Sister Mary Alan, and Alan, and front, from left, Christine, Cecilia (mother), Paul, Arthur (father), and Ruth.

LEFT: From left, Sisters Mary Kay Homan, Joann Plumpe, Elizabeth Kubacki, Clare O’Connor, Mary Alan Stuart, and Patricia Benson. 

Members of the 2011 Christmas Diamond Crowd are: back row, from left, Sisters Nancy Fischer, Barbara Ann Hehr, Patricia J. Walsh, Mary Louise Head, Joan Weitz, Helen Belsito, Anne Beauvais, and Celeste Mary Bourke; middle row, from left, Sisters Mary Alice Naour, Helen Laier, Thomas Leo Monahan, Patricia Dolan, Angela Susalla, June Racicot, Patricia Spangler, and Attracta Kelly (Prioress); and front row, from left, Sisters Marilyn Foster, Marion Coppe, Betty Lou Myers, Robert Irene Buchanan, Mary Alan Stuart, Mary Catherine Nolan, and Jane Robert Stuckel.

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(1928-2026)

Sister Margaret Urban, formerly known as Sister Michael Elizabeth, died on Friday, February 6, 2026, at the Dominican Life Center in Adrian, Michigan. She was 97 years of age and in the 77th year of her religious profession in the Adrian Dominican Congregation.

Sister Margaret was born in Detroit to Michael and Elizabeth (Kulwicki) Urban. She graduated from Dominican High School in Detroit and received a bachelor’s degree in English from Siena Heights College (University) in Adrian, a master’s degree in English from DePaul University in Chicago, and a master’s degree in psychology/substance abuse counseling from Mercy College (University of Detroit Mercy) in Detroit. 

Sister Margaret ministered in elementary and secondary education for 20 years in Chicago, Illinois; and in Detroit, Adrian, and Jackson, Michigan. She served the Congregation for three years as Director of Apostolate for Immaculate Conception Province and two years as secretary for the SEAC Chapter Office, both in Detroit. 

She also served for nine years in pastoral ministry in Midland and Dearborn, Michigan and ministered with the Genesee Catholic Education Office in Flint, Michigan; for the Archdiocese of Detroit; and for the U.S. Catholic Commission Office in Lansing, Michigan, for a total of 12 years. She was a substance abuse therapist and EAP psychotherapist for nine years at hospitals in Port Huron and St. Clair, Michigan. Sister became a resident of the Dominican Life Center in Adrian in 2016.

Sister Margaret was preceded in death by her parents and two sisters, Anastasia Kosmalski and Elizabeth Wyles. 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, February 11, 2026, in the gathering space of St. Catherine Chapel. The Vigil Prayer will be held at 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, February 11, 2026, in St. Catherine Chapel. A Funeral Mass will be offered in St. Catherine Chapel at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, February 12, 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)

 

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

 

LEFT: Margaret at about the age of 1. MIDDLE LEFT: First Holy Communion. MIDDLE RIGHT: Margaret with her parents, Elizabeth and Michael, on her high school graduation day. 

LEFT: From left, Sisters Margaret Urban and Kathleen Gaynor. RIGHT: Sister Margaret in her social work ministries, 1980s.

LEFT: Back row, from left, Sisters Marie Solanus Reilly, Elizabeth Flaherty, and Helen Mack, and front row, from left, Sisters Patricia Sporer, Kathleen Gaynor, and Margaret Urban. RIGHT: Sisters Margaret Urban, left, with her classmate, Sister Mary DeSlaes Herman, CSSF, at Sister Margaret’s Golden Jubilee, 1998.

Members of the 1998 Golden Jubilee December 1948 crowd are: back row, from left, Sisters Judith Mary Singer, Mary Catherine Jordan, Marie Geraldine Brownell, Mary D. O’Connor, John Norton Barrett, and Joyce Banks; middle row, from left, Sisters Joan Sopha, Nora Brady, Mary Schmagner, Celestine Dunne, Margaret Urban, Therese DeCanio, and Patricia Wiley; and front row, from left, Sisters Mary E. Quinn, Mary Helen Mack, Dorothy Thielk, Mary Frances Radtke, Patricia Ann Hurley, Marion O’Connor, and Alice Riegel. Sister Catherine Eggleston is not pictured.

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(1939-2026)

When Sister Barb Cervenka died in early 2026, she had the rare honor of having her passing mourned by the government of another country; Brazil’s Ministry for Culture issued a press release that read in part:

Barbara Cervenka’s passing represents a significant loss for the field of visual arts, art education, and policies for the appreciation of Afro-diasporan art, areas in which she dedicated her life with commitment, sensitivity, and historical vision.

… Barbara Cervenka’s legacy will live on in the institutions she helped to strengthen, in the cultural policies she inspired, and in the works that now permanently integrate into Brazil’s cultural heritage.

Barbara Florence Cervenka was born September 28, 1939, in Cleveland, Ohio, to James and Florence (Balzer) Cervenka. She was the older of the couple’s two children; a sister, Anita, came into the family three years after Barb’s birth.

Florence was in remission from Hodgkin’s disease at the time Barb was born, and her health declined over the next few years. Although her illness often made her tired and even short-tempered, “I can remember her sitting on the floor and playing board games with me,” Sister Barb wrote in her autobiography. “I remember walking with her to the store, with Anita in a ‘Taylor-Tot.’ I remember listening to my favorite program, ‘Baby Snooks,’ with her and my Dad. I remember our Christmas tree and how magical it was.”

Barb was only five years old when her mother died, and “losing her was one of the most significant events of my life,” she wrote. The children first went to live with their maternal grandparents, then lived with their father’s parents when their Grandma Balzer became ill and returned to the Balzers when Grandma Cervenka died. Although the children were well loved by their grandmothers, and Barb and Anita were close, Barb still found herself very lonely and “lived a lot in my imagination,” she wrote. She discovered drawing – especially pictures of horses – and it became her refuge.

Read more about Sister Barbara (PDF)

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 Barb'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 Barb'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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