Sr. Joyce Rybarczyk, OP, formerly known as Sr. Marie Devota, died on Tuesday, May 4, 2021, at the Dominican Life Center in Adrian. She was 91 years of age and in the 74th year of her religious profession in the Adrian Dominican Congregation.
Sister was born in St. Joseph, Michigan, to William and Frances (Blaha) Rybarczyk. She graduated from St. Joseph Academy in Adrian, Michigan, and received a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Siena Heights College (University) in Adrian.
Sister Joyce spent 24 years ministering in elementary education in Farmington and Escanaba, Michigan; and in Chicago, Elmhurst, and Flossmoor, Illinois. She also served as pastoral minister for 27 years at Holy Name Mission in Watersmeet, Michigan. Sister became a resident of the Dominican Life Center in Adrian in 2017.
Sister was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers, Bill and Peter; and a cousin, Sister Mary Elizabeth Rudnick, an Adrian Dominican Sister. She is survived by a sister and brother, Joan and Jim Rybarczyk of St. Joseph, Michigan; a cousin, Sister Mary Ann Rybarczyk (also an Adrian Dominican Sister); 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
Prayers of Committal and burial for Sister Joyce were held on Wednesday, May 5, 2021, at 1:00 p.m. in the Congregation Cemetery. A Memorial Word Service will be held on Friday, May 7, 2021, at 10:30 a.m. in St. Catherine Chapel, and the Ritual of Remembering will be held on Friday, May 7, 2021, at 2:15 p.m. in the Rose Room.
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 for over 34 years:
- St. Dominic, Detroit (1948): Elementary Teacher
- Our Lady of Sorrows, Farmington (1948-54): Elementary Teacher
- St. Thomas the Apostle, Escanaba (1961-63): Elementary Teacher
- Holy Name Mission, Watersmeet (1972-99): Pastoral Minister
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