Sr. Alma Marie Messing, OP, died Thursday, May 20, 2021, at the Dominican Life Center in Adrian. She was 94 years of age and in the 76th year of her religious profession in the Adrian Dominican Congregation.
Sister Alma Marie was born in Grosse Pointe, Michigan, to Frank and Alma (Treppa) Messing. She graduated from Dominican High School in Detroit, and received a Bachelor of Science degree in Mixed Science from Siena Heights College (University) in Adrian and earned a Master of Science degree in Biology from Institutum Divi Thomae, Cincinnati.
Sister spent over 27 years ministering in education in West Palm Beach, Miami Shores and Fort Lauderdale, Florida; Adrian, Utica and Detroit, Michigan; Wilmette, Chicago and Rockford, Illinois; and Nassau, Bahamas. This includes four years at Barry College (University), Miami Shores, and one year at Siena Heights College (University), Adrian, both sponsored institutions of the Congregation. She was a computer teacher and manager for eight years and a programs assistant for 10 years at the Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago. Sister became a resident of the Dominican Life Center in Adrian in 2018.
Sister Alma Marie was preceded in death by her parents and a brother, Frank Messing III. She is survived by her brother, Donald J. Messing (Nancy) of Grosse Pointe Shores, loving nieces and nephews and her Adrian Dominican Sisters.
Due to COVID-19 mitigation protocols, the Dominican Life Center is closed to all guests or visitors until further notice. All are welcome to participate in Sister’s wake and funeral via live stream at http://www.adriandominicans.org/LiveStream.aspx
The Vigil Prayer will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, May 24, 2021, in St. Catherine Chapel. A Mass of Christian Burial or a Word Service will be offered in St. Catherine Chapel at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, May 25, 2021. 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, Michigan, 49221.
Funeral arrangements are being handled by Anderson-Marry Funeral Home, Adrian.
Sister ministered in Michigan over 5 years:
- St. Joseph Academy, Adrian (1956-58): High School Teacher
- St. Lawrence H.S., Utica (1965): High School Teacher
- Dominican High School, Detroit (1965-67): High School Teacher
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