Sr. Helen Laier, OP, formerly known as Sr. Thomas Albert Laier, died on Tuesday, January 26, 2021, at the Dominican Life Center in Adrian, Michigan. She was 88 years of age and in the 69th year of her religious profession in the Adrian Dominican Congregation.
Sister was born in Chelsea, Michigan, to Gustave and Rose (Merkel) Laier. She graduated from St. Joseph Academy in Adrian, and received a Bachelor of Home Economics degree from Siena Heights College (University) in Adrian. She was also certified as a Licensed Practical Nurse by the Michigan Board of Nursing.
Sr Helen spent 19 years ministering in elementary education in Utica, Rockwood, Dearborn Heights, Brighton, Dearborn, and Owosso, Michigan; and Chicago, Illinois. She served in nursing care at the Dominican Life Center in Adrian and at Memorial Hospital in Owosso, Michigan. Sister also ministered in caring for her mother and her brothers for 37 years. Sister became a resident of the Dominican Life Center in Adrian in 2015.
Sr. Helen was preceded in death by her parents and her brothers: Carl, Edward, Thomas, Lawrence, Robert and Donald Laier. She is survived by her sister, Teresa Trumbull (George) of Spring Hill, Florida; her sister-in-law, Penny Laier of Chelsea, Michigan; 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 Friday, February 5, 2021, in St. Catherine Chapel. A Word Service will be offered in St. Catherine Chapel at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, February 6, 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 over 60 years:
- Our Lady of Sorrows, Detroit (1951-1951): Elementary Teacher
- St. Lawrence, Utica (1952-1954): Elementary Teacher
- St. Mary, Rockwood (1954-1958): Elementary Teacher
- St. Sabina, Dearborn Heights (1960-1961): Elementary Teacher
- St. Patrick, Brighton (1961-1965): Elementary Teacher
- St. Alphonsus, Dearborn (1965-1968): Elementary Teacher
- St. Paul, Owosso (1968-1971): Elementary Teacher
- Adrian Dominican Sisters, Adrian (1971-1972): Nursing Assistant
- Memorial Hospital, Owosso (1973-1974): Staff Nurse
- St. Mary/Care of Mother, Chelsea (1974-1976): CCD/Care of Mother
- Live in Companion, Chelsea (1976-2012): Home Health Care
- Private Care, Chelsea (2012-2015): Ministering to the ill
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