(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.

 

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.

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(1930-2025)

Sister Alice Riegel, formerly known as Sister Mary Carol, died on Monday, September 22, 2025, at the Dominican Life Center in Adrian, Michigan. She was 95 years of age and in the 76th year of her religious profession in the Adrian Dominican Congregation.

Sister Alice was born in Royal Oak, Michigan, to Alden and Laura (Ouellette) Riegel. She graduated from Visitation High School in Detroit and received a bachelor’s degree in Spanish from Siena Heights College (University) in Adrian; a licentiate degree in Spanish from the University of Santo Domingo, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic; and a master’s degree in education from Siena Heights College (University). 

Sister ministered 14 years in elementary education in Santurce, Puerto Rico and West Palm Beach, Florida, and at Dominican High School in Detroit, a legacy institution of the Congregation. In all, she was at Dominican High School for 26 years over the course of her ministry, including seven years as a guidance counselor and 15 years as counselor/guidance director. She was also a guidance counselor for four years at Hoban Dominican High School in Cleveland, Ohio, also a legacy institution of the Congregation. Sister became a resident of the Dominican Life Center in 2022.

Sister Alice was preceded in death by her parents; a brother, Rev. William Riegel, CSB; and a sister, Carol Wood. She is survived by her sister, Mary Lou Zarem; other loving family members; and her Adrian Dominican Sisters.

Visitation will be held from 6:30 to 7:00 p.m. on Monday, September 29, 2025, in the gathering space of St. Catherine Chapel. The Vigil Prayer will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, September 29, 2025, in St. Catherine Chapel. A Funeral Mass will be offered in St. Catherine Chapel at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, September 30, 2025. Prayers of Committal will be held in the Congregation Cemetery. 

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

 

MIDDLE LEFT: Alice on the day of her First Holy Communion in the morning and Confirmation in the afternoon at St. Brigid Church, Detroit. MIDDLE RIGHT: Graduation photo, Visitation High School, Detroit, 1948. RIGHT: Entrance Day, June 1948.

MIDDLE: Members of the Riegel family are, from left, Alden William (father), Laura (mother), Carol Anne, Sister Alice, Mary Lou, and Father William. RIGHT: Sister Alice Riegel, left, with Sister Elise D. García, OP, Prioress.      

LEFT: Members of the 1967-1971 community at Hoban Dominican High School, Cleveland, Ohio, are, from left: Sisters Judith Girard (Carleen Maly), Joseph Loretta (Elaine Lederer), Ann Pauline (Mary Margaret Beh), Mary Jeanette Cerny, Mary Carol (Alice Riegel), and Charles Joseph (Joan Zinn). RIGHT: Sister Alice Riegel, left, with Sister Jean Keeley. 

Members of the 1998 Golden Jubilee December 1948 crowd are: back row, from left, Sisters Judith Mary Singer, Mary Catherine Jordan, Marie Geraldine Brownell, Mary D. O’Connor, John Norton Barrett, and Joyce Banks; middle row, from left, Sisters Joan Sopha, Nora Brady, Mary Schmagner, Celestine Dunne, Margaret Urban, Therese DeCanio, and Patricia Wiley; and front row, from left, Sisters Mary E. Quinn, Mary Helen Mack, Dorothy Thielk, Mary Frances Radtke, Patricia Ann Hurley, Marion O’Connor, and Alice Riegel. Sister Catherine Eggleston is not pictured.

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(1945-2025)

  Sister Mary Margaret “Peggy” Fornicola, formerly known as Sister Joseph Carolyn, died on Friday, August 22, 2025, at the Dominican Life Center in Adrian, Michigan. She was 79 years of age and in the 63rd year of her religious profession in the Adrian Dominican Congregation.

Sister Peggy was born in Sault Saint Marie, Michigan, to Joseph and Bernadette (Juers) Fornicola. She graduated from St. Joseph Academy in Adrian and obtained a bachelor’s degree in history from Siena Heights College (University) in Adrian. 

Sister Peggy ministered for 50 years in education in Oak Lawn, Illinois, and Iron Mountain and Sault Saint Marie, Michigan. This includes 28 years at Dickinson Area Catholic in Iron Mountain, four of those years as elementary/junior high administrator. She became a resident of the Dominican Life Center in 2025.

Sister Peggy was preceded in death by her parents and her sister Phyllis Byrd. She is survived by her sister Karen Fornicola, her brother Charles Fornicola, other loving family members, and her Adrian Dominican Sisters.

Visitation will be held from 6:30 to 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 2, 2025, in the gathering space of St. Catherine Chapel. The Vigil Prayer will be held at 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, September 2, 2025, in St. Catherine Chapel. A Funeral Mass will be offered in St. Catherine Chapel at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, September 3, 2025. Prayers of Committal will be held in the Congregation Cemetery. 

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

 

LEFT: Peggy poses on her First Communion day with her brother Charles and sisters Karen and Phyllis. RIGHT: Peggy, as a Postulant, with her Aunt Mell, 1961.

LEFT: Sister Peggy teaches her class at St. Mary School, Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, 1996-2013. RIGHT: Making up the Offertory Procession for Sister Peggy’s Silver Jubilee Mass in Iron Mountain, Michigan, are, front, from left, her nephew Richard and her brother Charles, and in back, from left, Karen, Sister Peggy’s sister, and Sister Peggy.

LEFT: Sister Joseph Carolyn on the day of her First Profession with her parents, Joseph and Bernadette Fornicola, 1961. RIGHT: Members of the 2011 Golden Jubilarian June-December Crowd are: back row, from left, Sisters Kathleen Morrissey, Gloria Korhonen, Rosemary Abramovich, Virginia Corley, Mary Jean Williams, Tarianne DeYonker, Carol Ann Gross, and Attracta Kelly (Prioress); and front row, from left, Sisters Mary Karen Lietz, Mary Jane Clark, Michele Kopp, Lois Paha, Mary Eileen Sullivan, Mary Margaret Fornicola, Carol Ann Dulka, and Grace Dennis.

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(1948-2025)

Sister Donna Marie Baker died on Friday, August 22, 2025, at the Dominican Life Center in Adrian, Michigan. She was 76 years of age and in the 58th year of her religious profession in the Adrian Dominican Congregation.

Sister Donna Marie was born in Detroit to Patrick L. and Virginia (Wyrauch) Baker. She graduated from St. Agatha High School in Detroit and obtained a bachelor’s degree in English from Siena Heights College (University) in Adrian and a master’s degree in Reading/Consultant/Resource from Cardinal Stritch College in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 

Sister Donna spent 48 years ministering in education in Southgate, Michigan; Jacksonville, St. Petersburg, and West Palm Beach, Florida; and Slidell, Louisiana. This includes serving 13 years as assistant elementary principal at St. Margaret Mary School in Slidell and 15 years as junior high school teacher and two years as the middle school director at Rosarian Academy, a legacy institution of the Congregation in West Palm Beach. Sister Donna became a resident of the Dominican Life Center in 2023.

Sister Donna was preceded in death by her parents and her brothers William and Patrick. She is survived by her sisters Linda Anderson (James), Mary Beihl (Bernie), Sharron Valentine, and Colleen Wilson (Steve); brothers Dennis Baker and Michael Baker (Kay); other loving family members; and her Adrian Dominican Sisters.

Visitation will be held from 6:30 to 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, August 27, 2025, in the gathering space of St. Catherine Chapel. The Vigil Prayer will be held at 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, August 27, 2025, in St. Catherine Chapel. A Funeral Mass will be offered in St. Catherine Chapel at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, August 28, 2025. Prayers of Committal will be held in the Congregation Cemetery. 

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

 

LEFT: Donna in kindergarten, at the age of 5. MIDDLE RIGHT: Sister Donna as a Postulant, 1966. RIGHT: Sister Donna Marie with her parents, Patrick and Virginia.

LEFT: Members of the Baker family in 1998 are, back row, from left, Patrick, Bill, Denny, and Michael, and front row, from left, Sherry, Colleen, Mary, Patrick (their father), Linda, and Sister Donna. RIGHT: Posing together during the Congregation’s Gathering 2002 are, from left, Sisters Donna Baker, Dorothy Dempsey, Jeanne Lefebvre, Rose Celeste O’Connell, and Mary Rita Gleason.

LEFT: Sisters Mary Ann Caulfield, left, and Donna Baker enjoy Rosarian Academy’s 80th Anniversary Breakfast, 2006. RIGHT: Members of the 2017 Golden Jubilee Crowd, August 1967 reception, are: back row, from left, Kathleen Klingen, Marie Skebe, Corinne Mary Florek, and Donna Markham; middle row, from left, Sisters Joanne Podlucky, Mary Jane Lubinski, Ellen Burkhardt, Patricia Siemen (Prioress), and Donna Marie Baker; and front row, from left, Marie Solanus Reilly, Julie Hyer, Nancy Jurecki, and Nancy Murray.

LEFT: Sister Donna at her 69th birthday celebration in Sauce Restaurant, Adrian, November 13, 2017. MIDDLE: Celebrating the 2025 Jubilee are: back row, from left, Sisters Catherine Olds, Mary Ann Caulfield, and Judith Rimbey, and seated, from left, Sisters Donna Baker and Patricia Leonard. RIGHT: From left, Sisters Donna Baker, Mary Ann Caulfield, and Kathleen Klingen.

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