Sr. Helen Hankerd, OP, formerly known as Sister Mary Ingrid, died on Friday, January 20, 2023, at the Dominican Life Center in Adrian, Michigan. She was 93 years of age and in the 74th year of her religious profession in the Adrian Dominican Congregation.
Sister Helen was born in Chelsea, Michigan, to Emmett and Oleta (Hutzel) Hankerd. She graduated from Chelsea High School in Chelsea and received a Bachelor of Music degree in Music Education from Siena Heights College (University) in Adrian and a Master of Music degree in Music Education from Michigan State University in East Lansing, Michigan.
Sister spent 37 years ministering in education in Detroit, Ruth, Chelsea, Monroe and Manchester, Michigan, and Cincinnati, Wickliffe and Medina, Ohio. She also ministered for 19 years as the Extended School Director for St. Thomas in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Sister became a resident of the Dominican Life Center in 2020.
Sister Helen was preceded in death by her parents; her brother, Paul; and her sisters, Jane Cecile Hankerd and Rose Ann Salvante. She is survived by her sisters, Mary Houle of Chelsea and Therese Scharphorn and Eileen Brooks, both of Jackson, Michigan, other loving family and her Adrian Dominican Sisters.
Covid vaccinated persons may attend the Vigil and Funeral in person. All are welcome to participate in Sister’s services via livestream.
A Mass of Christian Burial was offered in St. Catherine Chapel at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 26, 2023. 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 38 years:
- St. Agatha, Detroit (1949-56): Elementary Teacher
- Holy Name, Detroit (1963-64): Elementary Teacher
- Ss. Peter & Paul, Ruth (1964-67): Elementary Teacher
- St. Anne, Monroe (1978-84): Elementary Teacher/Organist
- Local School District, Manchester (1984-86): Substitute Teacher
- St. Thomas, Ann Arbor (1986-2005): Extended School Director
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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