Sr. Anne Liam Lees, OP, baptized Margaret Frances Lees, died on Sunday, Jan. 17, 2021, at the ProMedica Charles and Virginia Hickman Hospital in Adrian. She was 88 years of age and in the 69th year of her religious profession in the Adrian Dominican Congregation.
Sister Anne Liam was born in Decatur, Illinois, to William and Anne (Hines) Lees. She graduated from Pana High School in Pana, Illinois, received a Bachelor of Philosophy degree in History from Siena Heights College (University) in Adrian and earned a Master of Arts degree in American History from Catholic University, in Washington, D.C.
Sister spent 21 years ministering in elementary and secondary education in Lansing, Detroit and Adrian, Michigan; Nassau, Bahamas; and Santurce, Puerto Rico. This includes one year at St. Joseph Academy in Adrian, an Adrian Dominican School. She was a pastoral minister for 30 years in Trujillo Alto, Puerto Rico, and Guaymate, Dominican Republic, and she was Chapter Prioress for six years for the Florida Chapter of the Adrian Dominican Sisters. In 2012, Sister became a resident of the Dominican Life Center.
Sister Anne Liam was preceded in death by her parents and her sister, Mary Anne. Sister is survived by four brothers: Robert (Virginia) Lees and Michael (Pat) Lees of Decatur, Illinois, Paul Lees of Gladstone, Missouri, and Richard (Judy) Lees of Pana, Illinois; loving nieces and nephews and her Adrian Dominican Sisters.
Due to COVID-19 mitigation protocols, the Dominican Life Center is closed until further notice to all guests or visitors. 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, January 25, 2021, in St. Catherine Chapel. A Word Service will be offered in St. Catherine Chapel at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, January 26, 2021. Prayers of Committal will be held in the back of St. Catherine Chapel.
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 11 years:
- Resurrection, Lansing (1952-54): Elementary Teacher
- St. Theresa, Detroit (1954-59): Elementary Teacher
- St. Joseph Academy, Adrian (1966-67): Elementary Teacher
- St. Theresa-Visitation, Detroit (1967-70): Elementary Teacher
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