Sr. Leontia (Lee) Cooney, OP, formerly known as Sr. Michael Therese Cooney, died on Friday, Feb. 12, 2021, at the Dominican Life Center in Adrian. She was 83 years of age and in the 65th year of her religious profession in the Adrian Dominican Congregation.
Sister was born in Detroit, Michigan, to Michael and Elizabeth (Dowdall) Cooney. She graduated from St. Mary Commercial High School in Detroit and received a Bachelor of Philosophy degree in History from Siena Heights College (University) in Adrian; and a Master of Science degree in Guidance/Counseling from Barry College (University) in Miami, Florida.
Sister Lee spent 41 years ministering in many areas of elementary and secondary education in Chicago, Illinois; Nassau, The Bahamas; and Flint, Detroit, Utica, Harper Woods, and Monroe, Michigan. This includes eight years as principal of St. Jude in Detroit, 10 years as counselor and then Guidance Director at Bishop Gallagher High School in Harper Woods, and six years as Guidance Director at Dominican High School in Detroit, an Adrian Dominican institution. She also served the Congregation in Adrian for 13 years as Campus Administrator and Housing Coordinator. Sister became a resident of the Dominican Life Center in Adrian in 2016.
Sister Lee was preceded in death by her parents and her brothers: Bishop Patrick Cooney of the Diocese of Gaylord, Michigan, and Reverend Michael N. Cooney; and her sister, Mary Alice Cooney. She is survived by 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 Wednesday, February 17, 2021, in St. Catherine Chapel. A Word Service will be offered in St. Catherine Chapel at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, February 18, 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 53 years:
- St. Luke, Flint (1958-62): Elementary Teacher
- St. Augustine High School, Detroit (1965-66): High School Teacher
- St. Lawrence High School, Utica (1966-69): High School Teacher
- Dominican High School, Detroit (1969-75): Guidance Director/Treasurer
- Bishop Gallagher High School, Harper Woods (1975-81): Counselor
- Bishop Gallagher High School, Harper Woods (1981-85): Guidance Director/Principal
- St. Jude, Detroit (1985-93): Elementary Principal
- St. Mary Catholic Central HS, Monroe (1993-98): Guidance Director/ Administration Team
- Adrian Dominican Sisters, Adrian (1998-2000): Coordinator of Housing
- Adrian Dominican Sisters, Adrian (2000-11): Campus Administration/Housing Coordinator
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