Sr. Irene Marie Kerich, OP, formerly Mary Louise Kerich, died on Monday, May 27, 2019, at the Dominican Life Center in Adrian, Michigan. She was 94 years of age and in the 77th year of her religious profession in the Adrian Dominican Congregation.

Sister Irene Marie was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, to Harry and Irene (Dugas) Kerich. She graduated from St. Joseph Academy in Adrian, and received a Bachelor of Philosophy degree in English from Siena Heights College (University) in Adrian, and a Master of Arts degree in English from the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque, New Mexico. She was also certified as a pastoral minister by SS Cyril and Methodius Seminary in Orchard Lake, Michigan.

Sister spent twenty-six years ministering in education in Chelsea, Bad Axe and Detroit, Michigan; Chicago, Illinois; Albuquerque, New Mexico; and Conneaut, Ohio. Sister also served in congregational leadership for eight years as Councilor and Co-Provincial in St. Catherine Province in Detroit, Michigan. She was Plant Manager for Dominican High Convent in Detroit for one year and served for 23 years in Pastoral Ministry at St. Ambrose Parish in Grosse Pointe Park, Michigan. Sister became a resident of the Dominican Life Center in Adrian, Michigan in 2003.

Sister Irene Marie was preceded in death by her parents and two brothers, Douglas and William Kerich. She is survived by loving nieces and her Adrian Dominican Sisters.

Welcome of Sister Irene Marie will be on Wednesday, May 29, 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 Mass of Christian Burial will be offered in St. Catherine Chapel on Thursday, May 30, 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 Irene Marie ministered in Michigan for 43 years:

• St. Mary, Chelsea (1942-1943): Elementary Teacher
• Sacred Heart, Bad Axe (1944-1946): Elementary Teacher
• Dominican High School, Detroit (1961-1966): High School Teacher
• St. Catherine of Siena Province, Detroit (1966-1970): Provincial Councilor
• Dominican High School, Detroit (1970-1971): High School Teacher
• Dominican Convent, Detroit (1971-1972): Physical Plant Administrator
• St. Catherine of Siena Province, Detroit (1972-1976): Co-Provincial
• St. Ambrose Parish, Grosse Pointe Park (1976-1999): Pastoral Ministry