(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)

 

 

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. 

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)

 

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.

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(1934-2026)

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. 

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)

 

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(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.

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 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)

 

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.

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