Sr. Helen Therese Mayer, OP, died on Wednesday, Aug. 18, 2021, at the Dominican Life Center in Adrian, Michigan. She was 86 years of age and in the 66th year of her religious profession in the Adrian Dominican Congregation.
Sister Helen Therese was born in Detroit to Matthew and Helen (Simon) Mayer. She graduated from Dominican High School in Detroit; received a Bachelor of Philosophy degree in French from Siena Heights College (University) in Adrian; a Master of Arts degree in French from University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, and a Master of Pastoral Study degree in Pastoral Theology from Loyola University in Chicago.
She ministered for 50 years in elementary and secondary education in Marblehead, Ohio; Rockdale, Wilmette, Chicago, Rockford, Lombard and Burbank, Illinois; Lansing and Brighton, Michigan. This includes two Adrian Dominican schools: 3 years at Regina Dominican High School in Wilmette and 4 years at Aquinas Dominican High School in Chicago. She also taught for one year at Siena Heights College (University). Sister served the Congregation for three years as the Administrative Assistant for the Dominican Midwest Mission Chapter in Illinois. She became a resident of the Dominican Life Center in Adrian in 2016.
Sister is preceded in death by her parents and a brother, Matthew Mayer. She is survived by her loving sister-in-law 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 wake and funeral via live stream at http://www.adriandominicans.org/LiveStream.aspx
Rite of Committal (burial) for Sister Helen Therese was held on Thursday, 8/19/21, at 1:30 p.m. in the Congregation Cemetery. A Memorial Mass will be on Wednesday, 8/25/21, at 10:30 a.m. in St. Catherine’s Chapel. The Ritual of Remembering will be held on Wednesday, 8/25/21, at 1:30 p.m. in the Rose Room at the Dominican Life Center. 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 3.5 years:
- St. Patrick School, Brighton (1956-58): Elementary Music Teacher
- Siena Heights College (University), Adrian (1969-70): College Teacher
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