Sr. Beth Ellen Butler, OP, formerly known as Sister Margaret Vincent, died on Wednesday, June 19, 2024, at the Dominican Life Center in Adrian, Michigan. She was 89 years of age and in the 69th year of her religious profession in the Adrian Dominican Congregation.
Sister Beth Ellen was born in Detroit, Michigan, to Vincent and Margaret (Cowhy) Butler. She graduated from Mackenzie High School in Detroit and received a Bachelor of Arts degree in History from Barry College (University) in Miami Shores, Florida, and a Master of Science degree in Criminal Justice from Michigan State University in East Lansing, Michigan.
Sister Beth Ellen spent 19 years ministering in elementary education in Chicago, Illinois; Adrian; Jackson, Michigan; Oxon Hill, Maryland; and Miami Beach, Fort Walton Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Jacksonville and Tallahassee, all in Florida. This includes two years at St. Joseph Academy in Adrian, a sponsored institution of the Congregation, and one year at Rosarian Academy in West Palm Beach, a legacy institution of the Congregation. She also ministered for one year as religious education director at St. Columba Parish in Oxon Hill. She later taught and served 13 years as a department chairperson at the college level: five years at Siena Heights College (University) in Adrian and eight years at Barry University, both sponsored institutions of the Congregation.
Sister also ministered 12 years at Dominican Santa Cruz Hospital, Santa Cruz, California, also a legacy institution of the Congregation, as the supervisor of public safety, followed by two years as the supervisor of environment of care and 11 years in patient and staff satisfaction. Sister became a resident of the Dominican Life Center in 2023.
Sister was preceded in death by her parents and brothers Robert and Michael, and a sister, Donelda Steele. She is survived by a brother, Terrance Butler (Judy), other loving family and her Adrian Dominican Sisters.
A Funeral Mass was offered in St. Catherine Chapel at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, June 26, 2024. 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 ministered in Michigan 16 years:
- St. Joseph, Adrian (1957-59): Elementary Teacher
- Queen of Miraculous Medal, Jackson (1973-79): Elementary Teacher
- Siena Heights College (University), Adrian (1976-79): Teacher
- Siena Heights College (University), Adrian (1980-85): Department Chair/Teacher
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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