(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.

 

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