(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)

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