(1937-2026)

Sister Anneliese Sinnott, baptized Cecilia Sinnott, died on Monday, March 30, 2026, at the Dominican Life Center in Adrian. She was 88 years of age and in the 70th year of her religious profession in the Adrian Dominican Congregation. 

Sister Anneliese was born in Chicago to William and Anna (Haack) Sinnott. She graduated from Aquinas High School in Chicago and received a bachelor’s degree in applied music from Siena Heights College (University) in Adrian; a master’s degree in musical education from DePaul University in Chicago; a master’s degree in religious studies from the University of Detroit; a Master of Divinity degree in theology from SS. Cyril and Methodius Seminary in Orchard Lake, Michigan; and a doctorate in systematic theology from Katholieke University in Leuven, Belgium. 

Sister Anneliese ministered for almost 17 years teaching music in schools in Rockford and Chicago, Illinois. Later, she was Associate Dean for four years at SS. Cyril and Methodius Seminary; served in several capacities for a total of 21 years at Marygrove College in Detroit, including as Director of Pastoral Ministry; and ministered for 29 years as a professor, dean, and Vice President for Academic Affairs at Ecumenical Theological Seminary in Detroit.

She also served for five years as chair of the board for the Dominican Center for Religious Development (now the Dominican Center: Spirituality in Mission) in Farmington Hills, Michigan, and served the Congregation for two years as director of formation. Sister became a resident of the Dominican Life Center in Adrian in 2025.

Sister Anneliese was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Ronald. She is survived by other loving family members and her Adrian Dominican Sisters.

Prayers of Committal will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, in St. Catherine Chapel. A Vigil Service will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 9, 2026 in St. Catherine Chapel. The Memorial Mass will be in St. Catherine Chapel at 10:30 a.m. Friday, April 10, 2026. Those who are 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 Services, 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 Anneliese'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 Anneliese's Funeral Mass - After clicking the link, download the recording by right-clicking on the video choosing "Save video as." Worship Aid (PDF)

 

LEFT: Cecilia, the future Sister Anneliese, circa 1940. MIDDLE LEFT: Young Sinnott siblings, Cecilia and Ronald.

LEFT: Adrian Dominican Sisters who studied theology at SS. Cyril and Methodius Seminary, Orchard Lake, Michigan, circa 1973, are, from left, Sisters Mary Tardiff, Anneliese Sinnott, Mary Catherine Nolan, and Joan Delaplane. RIGHT: Members of the 1995 Gate of Heaven Community in Detroit are, back row, from left, Sisters Arlene Kosmatka and Cheryl Liske, and front row, from left, Sisters Anneliese Sinnott, Rosemarie Kieffer, and Nancyann Turner. 

LEFT: Sisters Anneliese Sinnott, left, and Nadine Foley, with Ophelia the camel during the 2012 Holy Land Armchair Pilgrimage. RIGHT: Members of the Congregation’s Constitution Committee were, from left, Sisters Anneliese Sinnott, Miriam Mullins, Nadine Foley, Teresa Disch, and Mary Tardiff.

Playing in the Bell Choir during the 2002 Gathering were, back row, from left, Sisters Carol Bollin, Sarajane Seaver, and Sara Fairbanks, and front row, from left, Sisters Mary Frances Fleischaker, Anneliese Sinnott, Catherine Ormond Olds, Lorraine Réaume, and Sheila N. Flynn.

Members of the 2015 Diamond Jubilee December Crowd are: back row, from left, Sisters Rosalie Esquerra, Kathleen Waters, Norine Burns, Molly Nicholson, Sheila Delaney, and Nancyann Turner; third row, from left, Sisters Leontia Cooney, Barbara Long, Margaret Manners, Mary Kastens, and Joan Leo Kehn; second row, from left, Sisters Mary Hemmen, Anneliese Sinnott, Joan Mary, Jo Ann Lucas, and Elizabeth Gibbons; and front row, from left, Sisters Esther Ortega, Marilyn Uline, Arlene Seckel, Ann Ziemba, and Jovanna Stein. 

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