Sr. Ann Gabriel Kilsdonk, IHM, 97, died Saturday, Nov. 27, at her home, the IHM Sisters’ Motherhouse in Monroe.
Sister Ann Gabriel was one of five children, three girls and two boys, of Martin and Catherine (Sexton) Kilsdonk. Born Margaret Mary on June 21, 1924 in Detroit. She attended Holcomb and St. Theresa Elementary Schools and graduated from St. Theresa High School (Detroit). With her parent’s encouragement, she studied at Marygrove College (Detroit), earning a Bachelor of Science degree in 1945. A month later, she entered the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (Monroe) and received the religious name Sister Ann Gabriel.
Her teaching ministry began at St. Mary Academy and St. John, Monroe; and then to high school education at Immaculata, Detroit, and St. Mary, Akron, Ohio. During the high school years, she specialized in Home Economics, later known as Family Ecology and earned a Master of Art and doctoral degrees from Michigan State University.
When Sister Ann Gabriel was missioned to Marygrove College, she excelled in all things related to her forte, Home Economics, – textiles design, clothing construction, food utilization and fine arts. Through the years she served as associate professor, department chair, and professor, and took on additional duties as Residents’ Advisor and in teacher-training. Over 50 years were dedicated to Marygrove’s students. In later years, she engaged as teacher, researcher, consultant, and textile analyst for the Dry Cleaning and Laundry Institute, before being named Professor Emerita. In retirement, she volunteered her skills and managed the community convent at Marygrove. Sister Ann Gabriel retired to the IHM Motherhouse in 2010.
Sister Ann Gabriel is survived by sister and brother-in-law, Kathryn and Frank Marchetti, nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by brothers, Martin and James, and sister, Joan Fitzpatrick.
Because of COVID-19 restrictions, services will be private at the IHM Motherhouse Chapel on Tuesday, Dec.7. Services will be Livestreamed beginning at 10 a.m. and may be viewed until Dec. 28, 2021. Burial will take place at a later date. Arrangements are under the direction of the Rupp Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to the IHM Retirement Fund, 610 W. Elm Ave., Monroe, MI 48162-7909.
Obituaries for clergy and religious who have lived or served in the Archdiocese of Detroit may be emailed to [email protected]. Obituaries are printed as they are submitted, but may be edited for grammar and style. Detroit Catholic reserves the right to refuse or edit any submissions.
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