Sr. Joan Weitz, OP, formerly known as Sister Marie Leon, died on Friday, December 13, 2024, at the Dominican Life Center in Adrian. She was 91 years of age and in the 72nd year of her religious profession in the Adrian Dominican Congregation.
Sister Joan was born in Lancaster, New York, to Leon and Marie (Mathien) Weitz. She graduated from Pine Hill High School in Buffalo, New York, and received a Bachelor of Philosophy degree in English and a Master of Arts degree in Education, both from Siena Heights College (University) in Adrian.
Sister ministered 48 years in education in Buffalo, New York; Detroit, Iron Mountain, New Salem, New Baltimore, and Birmingham, Michigan, including 18 years as assistant principal and six years as principal at Dominican High School, an institution of the Congregation, in Detroit. Sister became a resident of the Dominican Life Center in 2021.
Sister Joan was preceded in death by her parents; her brother, Leon Weitz, and her stepbrother, Donald Tigue. She is survived by her brother, Robert Weitz, and sister, Carol Saglain; other loving family and her Adrian Dominican Sisters.
A Funeral Mass was offered in St. Catherine Chapel at 10:30 a.m. Friday, December 20, 2024. 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 49 years:
- St. Agatha, Detroit (1951): Elementary Teacher
- St. Jude, Detroit (1952-54): Elementary Teacher
- St. Mary and St. Joseph, Iron Mountain (1954-61): Elementary Teacher
- Anchor Bay Catholic, New Baltimore (1966-70): High School Teacher
- Dominican High School, Detroit (1970-88): Assistant Principal
- Marian High School, Birmingham (1988-90): High School Teacher
- Dominican High School, Detroit (1990-96): High School Principal
- St. Ambrose, Detroit (1996-98): Elementary Teacher
- St. Jude, Detroit (1998-2000): Elementary Teacher
- St. Jude, Detroit (2000-04): Counselor
- East Catholic Elementary School, Detroit (2004-06): Counselor
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