Sr. Catherine McKillop, OP, formerly known as Sister James Anita McKillop, died on Sunday, December 30, 2018, at the Dominican Life Center in Adrian, Michigan. She was 87 years of age and in the 69th year of her religious profession in the Adrian Dominican Congregation.

Sister was born in Wishaw Lanark, Scotland, to James and Catherine (Buchanan) McKillop. She graduated from St. Paul High School in Grosse Pointe Farms, Michigan; and received a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and a Master of Education degree in Elementary Education, both from Barry College (University) in Miami, Florida.

Sister Catherine spent 25 years ministering in elementary education in Chicago, Illinois; Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, and St. Petersburg, Florida; Montgomery, Alabama; and Guayama, Puerto Rico. This includes 6 years as principal and teacher at St. Bede School in Montgomery, 2 years as principal at St. Ann School in West Palm Beach, and 5 years as principal at St. Jude School in St. Petersburg. Sister also served the Adrian Dominican Sisters: 4 years as Co-provincial for St. Rose of Lima Province in Florida, 8 years as director of retirement in Adrian, and 9 years as activity assistant for the Dominican Life Center. She later ministered as Coordinator of Volunteer Services for St. Leonard’s House in Chicago, which provides temporary housing for formerly incarcerated men. Sister became a resident of the Dominican Life Center in Adrian in 2017.

Sister Catherine is survived by sisters Patricia Young of Clinton Township and Marguerite DeJaeghere of Sterling Heights, and a brother, Joseph McKillop of Roseville, all in Michigan. She was preceded in death by her parents and brothers James and John.

Welcome of Sister Catherine will be on Thursday, January 3, 2019, at 6:00 p.m. in the Dominican Life Center Lobby; the Wake will follow from 6:15 to 7:00 p.m. in the Rose Room of the Dominican Life Center. The Reception of the Body and Vigil Prayer will be at 7:00 p.m. in St. Catherine Chapel. The Funeral Mass will be offered in St. Catherine Chapel on Friday, January 4, 2019 at 10:30 a.m. The Rite of Committal will be 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 for 17 years:

• Adrian Dominican Congregation, Adrian (1980-1988): Director of Retirement
• Adrian Dominican Congregation, Adrian (1988-1997): Activity Assistant