(1936-2025)

Sister Christine Matthews, formerly known as Sister James Elizabeth, died on Thursday, December 11, 2025, at the Dominican Life Center, Adrian, Michigan. She was 89 years of age and in the 69th year of her religious profession in the Adrian Dominican Congregation. 

Sister was born in Grosse Pointe, Michigan, to James and Grace (Austin) Matthews. 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 reading from Barry College (University) in Miami, and a master’s degree in religious education from Seattle University. 

Sister Christine ministered for 30 years in various levels of education in Jackson and Adrian, Michigan; Pensacola and Jacksonville, Florida; Scottsdale, Arizona; and Santurce, Puerto Rico. This includes more than 10 years at Siena Heights University in Adrian as coordinator of the Theological Studies Program in the Diocese of Saginaw and then as the University’s alumni relations assistant. 

Sister served six years as a member of the Congregation’s General Council and six years on the Congregation’s Mission Service Team. She also served for seven years as the Executive Director of the National Association of Church Personnel Administrators (NACPA) in Cincinnati, three years as the Director of Leadership Formation for the Diocese of Toledo, and three years in community development at the Northern Free State Institute in Kroonstad, South Africa.

Sister Christine was preceded in death by her parents; a sister, Mary J. Rowley; and a brother, Michael J. Matthews. She is survived by two sisters, Grace Varga and Janet Anne Greene; other loving family members; and her Adrian Dominican Sisters. 

Visitation will be held from 6:30 to 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, in the gathering space of St. Catherine Chapel. The Vigil Prayer will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, in St. Catherine Chapel. A Funeral Mass will be offered in St. Catherine Chapel at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, December 17, 2025. 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.

LEFT: Graduation photo, Dominican High School, Detroit, 1955. MIDDLE LEFT: Reception Day, 1955. MIDDLE RIGHT: Sister James Elizabeth (Christine) with her parents, James and Grace Matthews. RIGHT: Sisters Christine Matthews and Tarianne DeYonker.

LEFT: Sister Christine Matthews during a farewell party from the National Association of Church Personnel Administrators (NACPA), 1992. MIDDLE: Members of the 1992-1998 General Council are: back row, from left, Sisters Anne Guinan, Patricia Siemen, and Molly Nicholson, and front row, from left, Patricia Walter (Prioress) and Christine Matthews. RIGHT: From left, Sisters Christine Matthews, Geraldine Megel, and Mary J. Beaubien begin their mission in Kroonstad, South Africa, September 2002.

LEFT: From left, blood sisters Mary, Janet, Grace, and Sister Christine celebrate her Silver Jubilee in Adrian, May 17, 1981. RIGHT: Attending a discernment gathering for service in Africa are, from left, Sisters Mary Pat Dewey, Overseas Chapter Prioress; Christine Matthews, General Council Liaison; Frances Lombaer; Mary Margaret Pachucki; Mary Celeste Lynch; Geneal Kramer; and Jean Tobin, March 1993.

LEFT: Sister Christine Matthews speaks at a special event at Dominican High School and Academy, Detroit.

Members of the 1997-1998 Leadership Council are: back row, from left, Sisters Anne Guinan, Nancyann Turner, Molly Nicholson, Joella Miller, Mary Margaret Mannard, Rose Ann Schlitt, Barbara Stanek, Patricia Siemen, and Christine Matthews, and, front row, from left, Sisters Patricia Walter (Prioress), Kathryn Cliatt, Lorraine Mordenski, Jane Robert Stuckel, Marie Carleen Maly, Celestine Dunne, Rosemary Asaro, and Rose Celeste O’Connell.

Members of the 2025 Double-Diamond Jubilee Crowd are: back row, from left, Sisters Rita Rose Sieg, Christine Matthews, Nancyann Turner, Jovanna Stein, Kathleen Waters, Joan Leo Kehn, Joan Mary, Sheila Delaney, Mary Kastens, Marilyn Winter, and Elise D. García (Prioress); and front row, from left, Sisters Mary Ann Ennis, Carol Coston, Norine Burns, Anneliese Sinnott, Rosalie Esquerra, Ann Ziemba, and Therese E. Allgeyer. Not shown are Sisters Rose Bernadette Hoeffner, Barbara Ann Long, and Martha Napior.

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

(1941-2025)

Sister Jamie Phelps, baptized Jamie Theresa Phelps and formerly known as Sister Martin Thomas, died on Saturday, November 22, 2025, at the Dominican Life Center in Adrian, Michigan. She was 84 years of age and in the 65th year of her religious profession in the Adrian Dominican Congregation.

Sister Jamie was born in Mobile, Alabama, to Alfred and Emma (Brown) Phelps. She graduated from Josephinum High School (Josephinum Academy of the Sacred Heart) in Chicago and obtained a bachelor’s degree in sociology from Siena Heights College (University) in Adrian; a master’s degree in social work with a focus on group sequence from the University of Illinois in Chicago; a master’s degree in theology from St. John University in Collegeville, Minnesota; and a doctorate in systematic theology from The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. 

Sister Jamie ministered 27 years in education in Chicago and Harvey, Illinois, and Notre Dame, Indiana, including 12 years as a theology instructor at the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago, two years as a visiting professor of theology at the University of Notre Dame in Notre Dame, and five years as a visiting professor of theology at Loyola University in Chicago. She ministered as a psychiatric social worker for seven years in Chicago: two years at Mercy Hospital and five years at Chicago Child Care Society.

Sister was a founding member of the National Black Sisters’ Conference and the founding director of the Augustus Tolton Pastoral Ministry Program at CTU. She also served eight years as the director of the Institute of Black Catholic Studies at Xavier University in New Orleans, Louisiana. She spent one year doing theological research and writing in Chicago and more than a decade as a theology consultant and theologian, first in Chicago, then in Adrian. Sister became a resident of the Dominican Life Center in 2019.

Sister Jamie was preceded in death by her parents, brothers William Brown and Julius Phelps, and sisters Marionette Phelps and Alfreda Phelps-Bowles. She is survived by her brother Alfred Phelps Jr., other loving family members, and her Adrian Dominican Sisters.

Visitation will be held from 6:30 to 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, December 2, 2025, in the gathering space of St. Catherine Chapel. The Vigil Prayer will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, December 2, 2025, in St. Catherine Chapel. A Funeral Mass will be offered in St. Catherine Chapel at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, December 3, 2025. 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 Jamie'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 Jamie's Funeral Mass - After clicking the link, download the recording by right-clicking on the video choosing "Save video as." Worship Aid (PDF)

 

MIDDLE RIGHT: Sister Jamie Phelps speaks after receiving an honorary doctorate from Aquinas Institute of Theology, a Dominican graduate school in St. Louis. (Photo by Dave Moore, http://ww.davemoorephotography.com) RIGHT: Sister Jamie Phelps gives the 2023 commencement address at the Institute of Black Catholic Studies at Xavier University of Louisiana, New Orleans. (Photo by Irving Johnson III)

LEFT: Celebrating the Final Profession of Sister Shawn Copeland in 1977 are, from left: Sisters Jamie Phelps, Shawn Copeland, Rosemary Ferguson, Maria del Rey Plain, and Cheryl Delahoussaye. MIDDLE: From left, Sisters Jamie Phelps, Genevieve Jeziolkowski, and Carleen Maly. RIGHT: From left, Dr. Vanessa White, Sister Jamie Phelps, and Dr. Shawn Copeland.

Members of the 2010 Golden Jubilee “Holy Angels” Crowd are, back row, from left, Sisters Kathleen Walli, Kathleen Voss, Mary Katherine Drouin, Molly Giller, Helene Kloss, and Monica Charles Stankus, and front row, from left, Sisters Marie Carleen Maly, Annice Mordenski, Jamie Phelps, Mary Ann Dixon, Maurine Barzantni, Mary Carr, and Donna Markham (Prioress).

Sister Jamie Phelps (front row, in the blue jacket and skirt) joins with other members of the Black Catholic Theological Symposium during an annual meeting at St. Norbert College.

Adrian Dominican theologians, circa 1993, are: back row, from left, Sisters Donna Kustusch, Maribeth Howell, Sarah Sharkey, Mary Louise Putrow, Nadine Foley, and Patricia Benson; and front row, from left, Sisters Mary Tardiff, Joanne (Jodie) Screes, Patricia Walter, Jamie Phelps, and Anele Heiges.

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

(1936-2025)

Sister Jeanne Marie Stickling, formerly known as Sister Louis Anthony, died on Thursday, November 13, 2025, 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 Jeanne Marie was born in Itasca, Illinois, to H. Leo and Louise (Lowe) Stickling. She graduated from St. Edward High School in Elgin, Illinois, and received a bachelor’s degree in fine arts from Barry College (University) in Miami, Florida; a master’s degree in fine arts from Siena Heights College (University) in Adrian; and a master’s degree in religious education from St. Mary College in Winona, Minnesota.

Sister Jeanne ministered for almost 20 years in elementary education in Detroit and Adrian, Michigan; Elgin, Loves Park, and McHenry, Illinois; Santurce and Guayama, Puerto Rico; Miami, West Palm Beach, Jacksonville, Miami Shores, and Fort Walton Beach, Florida; and Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. She also served for more than 14 years in religious education in Illinois and Minnesota. Later, she spent seven years as a ceramics instructor in Illinois. Sister became a resident of the Dominican Life Center in Adrian in 2015.

Sister Jeanne was preceded in death by her parents and her siblings Leo Stickling and Elizabeth Fay. She is survived by a sister, Maryann Snider; other loving family members; and her Adrian Dominican Sisters. 

Visitation will be held from 6:30 to 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 19, 2025, in the gathering space of St. Catherine Chapel. The Vigil Prayer will be held at 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, November 19, 2025, in St. Catherine Chapel. A Funeral Mass will be offered in St. Catherine Chapel at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, November 20, 2025. 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 Jeanne'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 Jeanne's Funeral Mass - After clicking the link, download the recording by right-clicking on the video choosing "Save video as." Worship Aid (PDF)

 

LEFT: Sister Jeanne Marie Stickling at Colegio Santo Domingo, 1970-1971.  MIDDLE RIGHT: At St. Matthew’s in Jackson, Florida, 1964. RIGHT: From left, Father John Mitchell and Sisters Estelle Driscoll and Sister Jeanne Stickling at a reception in the cathedral in Rockford, Illinois, June 1970.

LEFT: Sister Jeanne Marie works on pottery at College of DuPage, Glen Ellyn, Illinois, Spring 1993. MIDDLE: Sister Jeanne Marie works on pottery at College of DuPage, Glen Ellyn, Illinois, Spring 1993. RIGHT: Sister Jeanne Marie Stickling, OP, left, receives the Fra Angelico Award – the highest honor for a member of the Dominican Institute for the Arts – from Sister Elizabeth Slenker, OP (Sparkill), President of the DIA, during the closing liturgy of the July 2024 DIA Gathering in Adrian.

Members of the 2014 Diamond Jubilee December Crowd are: back row, from left, Sisters Jeanne Marie Stickling, Gail Himrod, Marilyn Francoeur, Rose Ann Schlitt, Esther Kennedy, and Clarice Moyle; middle row, from left, Sisters Norlee McDonnell, Mary Ann Letzgus, Marlene Ptaszynski, Alice Marie Schmid, and Ellen Schmitz; and front row, from left, Sisters Evelyn Piche, Joan Baustian, Marianne O’Neill, Teresita Ruíz, and Therese Reynolds. Not pictured are Sisters Rose Irene Calvert and Bernice Olszewski. 

LEFT: A sculpture created by Sister Jeanne Marie Stickling. RIGHT: “Hannun – Gracious One,” a sculpture by Sister Jeanne Marie Stickling.

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

(1937-2025)

Sister Joan Leo Kehn, baptized Barbara Kehn, died on Tuesday, October 28, 2025, at the Dominican Life Center in Adrian, Michigan. She was 88 years of age and in the 69th year of her religious profession in the Adrian Dominican Congregation.

Sister Joan Leo was born in Toledo, Ohio, to Leo and Mabel (King) Kehn. She graduated from Notre Dame Academy in Toledo and obtained a bachelor’s degree in English from Siena Heights College (University) in Adrian and a master’s degree in education from DePaul University in Chicago.

Sister Joan Leo ministered more than 65 years in education in Chicago, Rockford, Maywood, and Harvey, Illinois, and in Vero Beach, West Palm Beach, and Plantation, Florida. For 32 of those years, she served at St. Gregory School in Plantation, first as an elementary teacher and later as director of religious education, assistant reading/math specialist, and co-director of religious education. She also served in the Congregation’s Finance Office for two years. Sister became a resident of the Dominican Life Center in 2024.

Sister Joan Leo was preceded in death by her parents. She is survived by her sister, Judith Ann Ouelette; other loving family members and friends; and her Adrian Dominican Sisters.

Visitation will be held from 6:30 to 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 5, 2025, in the gathering space of St. Catherine Chapel. The Vigil Prayer will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 5, 2025, in St. Catherine Chapel. A Funeral Mass will be offered in St. Catherine Chapel at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, November 6, 2025. 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.

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

 

Left: Christmas Day, 1942. MIDDLE LEFT: First Holy Communion, 1945. MIDDLE RIGHT: Graduation from Notre Dame Academy, Toledo, Ohio, June 8, 1955. 

LEFT: Postulant Barbara Kehn with her parents, Mabel and Leo Kehn, on her Entrance Day, June 25, 1955. MIDDLE: Sister Joan Leo Kehn with her students at St. Gregory School, Plantation, Florida, October 1992. RIGHT: Sister Joan Leo in 1975, the early days of the Congregation’s Data Office.

LEFT: From left, Sisters Mar Ann Caulfield, Joan Leo Kehn, and Therese Margaret Roberts on the day that Sister Joan Leo receives the Lifetime Catechetical Leadership Award from the Archdiocese of Miami, 2015. RIGHT: Sisters Mary Alice Naour, left, and Joan Leo Kehn celebrate Christmas, December 28, 1999.

Members of the 2015 Diamond Jubilee (August and December) crowds are: back row, from left, Sisters Rosalie Esquerra, Norine Burns, Molly Nicholson, Sheila Delaney, and Nancyann Turner; row 5, from left, Sisters Kathleen Waters, Rose Celeste O’Connell, Rita Rose Sieg, and Marilyn Winter; row 4, from left, Sisters Frances Fitzpatrick, Leontia Cooney, Carol Coston, and Helen Therese Mayer; row 3, from left, Sisters Mary Ann Ennis, Barbara Ann Long, Margaret Manners, Mary Kastens, and Joan Leo Kehn; row 2, from left, Sisters Therese E. Allgeyer, Mary Hemmen, Anneliese Sinnott, Joan Mary, Jo Ann Lucas, and Elizabeth Gibbons; and front row, from left, Sisters Barbara Ann Stanek, Esther Ortega, Marilyn Uline, Arlene Seckel, Ann Ziemba, and Jovanna Stein.

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