Sr. Elizabeth “Betty” Flaherty, OP, formerly known as Sister Stephen Marie, died on Friday, September 30, 2022, at the Dominican Life Center in Adrian, Michigan. She was 90 years of age and in the 72nd year of her religious profession in the Adrian Dominican Congregation.
Sister Elizabeth was born in Detroit, Michigan, to Stephen and Helen (Keely) Flaherty. She graduated from Immaculata High School in Detroit; received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Latin and a Master of Arts degree in Education, both from Siena Heights College (University) in Adrian; and earned a Master of Sacred Theology degree from St. John Seminary in Plymouth, Michigan.
Sister spent over 37 years ministering at all levels of education in St. Charles, Illinois; and Sault Ste. Marie, Rockwood, St. Clair, Jackson, Tecumseh, Farmington, Detroit and Adrian, Michigan. This includes a total of 10 years at Siena Heights College (University) in Adrian, where she was dean of development, director of student services, and adjunct faculty member, and seven years at Sacred Heart Major Seminary and one year at Marygrove College, both in Detroit. She spent 23 years in pastoral ministry in Grosse Pointe Farms, Taylor, Sterling Heights, and Detroit, including seven years as associate director for the Catechetics Office for the Archdiocese of Detroit. She also served one year as the associate director of Weber Center in Adrian. Sister became a resident of the Dominican Life Center in 2013.
Sister Elizabeth was preceded in death by her parents and her siblings, John, Gerald, Patrick, Rita Fry, Marie Baddley, Margaret Dyszewski and Kathleen Duffy. She is survived by loving family members 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 services via livestream at https://adriandominicans.org/L...
The Vigil Prayer will be held at 7:00 pm Wednesday, October 5, 2022, in St. Catherine Chapel. A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered in St. Catherine Chapel at 10:30 am Thursday, October 6, 2022. 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 for 58 years:
- St. Joseph, Sault St. Marie (1953-56): Elementary Teacher
- St. Mary, Rockwood (1956-57) Elementary Teacher
- St. Mary, St. Clair (1957-58): Elementary Teacher
- Queen of Miraculous Medal, Jackson (1958-59): Elementary Teacher
- St. Elizabeth, Tecumseh (1959-62): Elementary Teacher
- Our Lady of Sorrows High School, Farmington (1962-68): High School Teacher
- Benedictine High School, Detroit (1968-70): High School Teacher/Counselor
- Marygrove College, Detroit (1970-71): Counselor
- Siena Heights College (University), Adrian (1971-72): College Teacher
- Siena Heights College (University), Adrian (1972-73): Director of Student Services
- Siena Heights College (University), Adrian (1973-76): Dean of Student Development
- St. Paul, Grosse Pointe Farms (1976-84): Pastoral Minister
- St. Cyril of Jerusalem, Taylor (1985-90): Pastoral Minister
- St. Blasé Parish, Sterling Heights (1990-94): Director of Religious Formation
- Archdiocese of Detroit, Detroit (1994-2000): Associate Director of Catechetics
- Sacred Heart Seminary, Detroit (2000-07): Faculty
- Weber Center (ADS), Adrian (2007-08): Associate Director
- Siena Heights University, Adrian (2008-12): Adjunct Instructor: Theology
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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